The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word CHECKERS
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
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More clues leading to the result CHECKERS
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Draughts" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case draughts = checkers.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does CHECKERS mean?
CHECKERS noun- One who checks or verifies something.
- One who makes a check mark.
- The clerk who tallies cost of purchases and accepts payment.
- One who hinders or stops something.
- A playing piece in the game of checkers (British: draughts).
- A pattern of alternating colours as on a chessboard.
- The fruit of the wild service tree or chequer tree, Photinia villosa, syn. Sorbus terminalis
- (in the singular) A game for two players played on a chessboard; the players have 12 pieces each, and the object is to capture all the opponent’s pieces by jumping over them. Other European varieties have larger boards and more playing pieces.
- (in the plural) the playing pieces in the game of checkers.
- To mark in a pattern of alternating light and dark positions, like a checkerboard.
- To develop markings in a pattern of alternating light and dark positions, like a checkerboard.