Related Clues:

• Unexciting partner in an impasse
• Old pal giving tie
• Old friend causing impasse
• Draw companion who's out of condition?
• Hardened companion comes to standstill
• The draw of the French relative in France, for instance
• “Courage is in the air in bracing whiffs / Better than all the ____ an’s and ifs” (Robert Frost)
• Deadlock as board move out?
• Easel at bottom, artist finally sorted drawing position
• Draw on squares
• Dated china impossible to move
• Tie given by tasteless spouse
• Draw in game, some initially report, before tea
• Worn out friend — that's a no-win situation
• Colleague in same company perhaps ignoring British deadlock