Clueless #454
Welcome to Clueless, our informal weekly clue-setting competition.
The idea is to compose a cryptic clue to a given word or phrase.
The winner of the previous week's competition both sets the word to be clued and judges the entries for the current week.
The judge's decision is final and reasons may or may not be given at the judge's discretion. It is customary for the judge to award a virtual prize to the winner.
Multiple entries may be submitted and new competitors are particularly welcome.
Clues should be submitted by 07:00 pm UK time on Wednesday, 18th December, with the winner to be announced shortly thereafter.
The answer to be clued is:
CHIEFTAIN (9)
Have fun and feel free to explain your clue, especially if particularly convoluted or obscure (otherwise I'll probably have to annoy you by asking for a parse).
Nemo