Octet on a chessboard

Answer:

RANKS

Hint:

Think of the horizontal lines where pawns start their journey, each holding eight squares side by side.

Explanation:

An "octet" means a group of eight, which hints at the answer being something with eight parts. On a chessboard, the rows (called "ranks") are exactly eight in number, making "ranks" the perfect fit. The clue cleverly avoids mentioning "rows" directly, letting the solver connect "octet" to the chessboard’s structure.

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General solving tip

A question mark usually flags wordplay or a non-literal reading. Expect a pun, a twist, or a definition that's one step removed from the surface meaning.

More tips → General Hints