Crossword Genius

Pick up king in play to take knight (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

learn

'pick up' is the definition.
(I know that pick up can be written as learn)

'king in play to take knight' is the wordplay.
'king in play' becomes 'Lear' (Shakespeare's King Lear).
'to take' says to put letters next to each other.
'knight' becomes 'N' (chess abbreviation).
'lear'+'n'='LEARN'

(Other definitions for learn that I've seen before include "Acquire knowledge or skill" , "Study (at school?)" , "Succeed in school" , "Be educated" , "Hear - memorise" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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