Enter a clue or pattern or both:
The Clue
King protectors (5 letter answer)
The Answer
PAWNS
Tags
Notes
The answer PAWNS is seen occasionally, appearing about once every 850 puzzles.
Related Clues
Dupes
Hocks
Impignorates
Puppets
Tools
Chess pieces
Future queens?
Karpov's octet
One row on a chessboard
Some chessmen
Unwitting tools
Front line in a game
Members of a chess line
Minor pieces for Fischer
Definition
PAWN as a noun:
1. an article deposited as security
2. (instrument, pawn, cat's-paw) = a person used by another to gain an end
3. (chess) the least powerful piece; moves only forward and captures only to the side; it can be promoted to a more powerful piece if it reaches the 8th rank
4. borrowing and leaving an article as security for repayment of the loan
PAWN as a verb:
1. (pawn, soak, hock) = leave as a guarantee in return for money; "pawn your grandfather's gold watch"