Crossword Genius

Opening left wall exposed (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

portal

'opening' is the definition.
(type of opening or entrance)

'left wall exposed' is the wordplay.
'left' becomes 'port' (left side of a ship - opposite of starboard).
'exposed' means to look at the middle letters (the inside of the word is exposed).
The centre of 'wall' is 'al'.
'port'+'al'='PORTAL'

(Other definitions for portal that I've seen before include "Grand sort of entrance." , "Special website bringing together information from diverse sources in a uniform way" , "Grand and imposing entrance" , "An imposing gate or doorway" , "'Doorway, entrance (6)'" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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