Crossword Genius

Left expert holding knight's weapon (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lance

'weapon' is the definition.
(lance is a kind of weapon)

'left expert holding knight's' is the wordplay.
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'expert' becomes 'ace' (ace is a kind of expert).
'holding' indicates putting letters inside.
'knight' becomes 'n' (chess).
'ace' placed around 'n' is 'ance'.
'l'+'ance'='LANCE'

(Other definitions for lance that I've seen before include "Clean (anag) -- weapon" , "Long pointed weapon of old" , "Incise" , "A horse soldier's spear" , "One like pike" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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