Level playing area for would-be kingmakers (12)

I believe the answer is:

draughtboard

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'level' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for draughtboard that I've seen is " 64 black-and-white squares".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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