Crossword Genius

More malicious bishop feeling more irritation (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bitchier

'more malicious' is the definition.
('bitchy' can be similar in meaning to 'malicious')

'bishop feeling more irritation' is the wordplay.
'bishop' becomes 'B' (chess abbreviation).
'feeling more irritation' becomes 'itchier' (itching more).
'b'+'itchier'='BITCHIER'

(Another definition for bitchier that I've seen is " More inclined to be cattier".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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