Crossword Genius

Willing to finish early — scrap strategic move (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gambit

'strategic move' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'willing to finish early scrap' is the wordplay.
'willing' becomes 'game' (game can mean willing to do something).
'to finish early' means to remove the last letter (I've seen 'finishing early' mean this (the word finishes earlier than normal)).
'scrap' becomes 'bit' (synonyms).
'game' with its last letter taken off is 'gam'.
'gam'+'bit'='GAMBIT'

(Other definitions for gambit that I've seen before include "Eg, minestrone" , "Tactical move" , "Opening sacrifice made in chess game" , "first move" , "Opening comment" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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