Crossword Genius

Bishop abandons Italian riverbank (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tier

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

'bishop' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'abandons italian riverbank' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'italian' could be 'i' (abbreviation for Italian) and 'i' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'ter' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tier that I've seen before include "Row, layer" , "Rite about layer" , "Person joining" , "Wedding cake layer" , "I might draw" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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