Historical clue formulations

• Player on the bench? — 2026-04-02
• One sitting on the bench, maybe — 2022-06-11
• One who deals in rags? — 2011-09-21
• Tickler of the ivories — 2005-10-11
• Key person? — 2001-06-10
• Grand master? — 2000-10-20
• Cafe booking — 1999-06-17
• Nero or Rubinstein — 1996-07-26