Powerful man is a little slack in government (4)

I believe the answer is:

king

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'powerful man' is the definition.
'king' can be an answer for 'man' (man can mean a chess piece). I'm unsure of the 'powerful' bit.

'a little slack in government' is the wordplay.
'a little' indicates a hidden word (a little bit of the clue).
'KING' is hidden within 'slack in government'.

'is' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for king that I've seen before include "VIP" , "Play set in medieval Britain" , "Chess piece" , "Man with a crown" , "Eponymous giant ape in movie" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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