Crossword Genius

Simple chess ending tricks friend (5,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fools mate

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

'simple chess' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I can't tell whether it can be defined by this definition.

'ending tricks friend' is the wordplay.
'ending' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'tricks' becomes 'fools' (I've seen this in another clue).
'friend' becomes 'mate' (mate is a kind of friend).
'fools' next to 'mate' is 'FOOLS MATE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for fools mate that I've seen before include "Easy chess win" , "Simple win at chess" , "Quickest end to chess game" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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