International Master Abu Sufian Shakil tasted his first defeat in the Commonwealth Chess Championship in the fifth round at Waskaduwa in Sri Lanka yesterday.

Shakil, who had three successive wins before playing out a draw in the fourth round, lost to Indian Gm M R Lalit Babu in the fifth round as he remained on 3.5 points. He was playing against Sri Lankan Priyankara Chamil in the sixth round when this report was filed.