Crossword Genius

Penalty for attack around end of game (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

forfeit

'penalty' is the definition.
(forfeit is a kind of penalty)

'for attack around end of game' is the wordplay.
'attack' becomes 'fit' (fit is a kind of attack).
'around' indicates putting letters inside.
'end of' indicates one should take the final letters.
The last letter of 'game' is 'e'.
'fit' placed around 'e' is 'feit'.
'for'+'feit'='FORFEIT'

(Other definitions for forfeit that I've seen before include "It has to be paid or given up as a penalty" , "Fine, penalty; give up" , "Effort I made to pay penalty" , "Give up or lose the right to something" , "Penalty for wrongdoing" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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