You've lost control, pal (9)

I believe the answer is:

checkmate

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'you've lost' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'control pal' is the wordplay.
'control' becomes 'check' (check is a kind of control).
'pal' becomes 'mate' (I've seen this before).
'check'+'mate'='CHECKMATE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for checkmate that I've seen before include "The final killer move in chess" , "End of game" , "position of defeat" , "The final winning move in chess" , "Complete victory" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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