The crossword solution for the term 'BEAT AT THE BOARD' is 'MATED', which is a five-letter word. MATED is a term used in the game of chess, and it means to checkmate an opponent's king. When a player checkmates their opponent's king, they have won the game. Checkmate is the ultimate goal of the game, and it is achieved when a player puts their opponent's king in a position where it cannot move without being captured. Therefore, when someone is said to have been 'MATED' at the board, it means that they have been defeated in a game of chess.