Crossword Genius

Pick up king, then knight (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

learn

'pick up' is the definition.
('learn' can be a synonym of 'pick up')

'king then knight' is the wordplay.
'king' becomes 'lear' (I've seen this before).
'then' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'knight' becomes 'n' (chess).
'lear'+'n'='LEARN'

(Other definitions for learn that I've seen before include "Master" , "Find out - assimilate facts" , "Come to know" , "Pick up" , "Renal (anag)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph and The Guardian.
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