Impasse with a far from fresh partner (9)
I believe the answer is:
stalemate
'impasse' is the definition.
(I know that impasse can be written as stalemate)
'with a far from fresh partner' is the wordplay.
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'a far from fresh' becomes 'stale' (I've seen this in another clue).
'partner' becomes 'mate' (synonyms).
'stale' put next to 'mate' is 'STALEMATE'.
(Other definitions for stalemate that I've seen before include "Unresolvable position" , "Indecisive chess ending" , "Deadlock, impasse" , "Chess game deadlock" , "Possible chess game ending" .)