Shakil in pole position

International Master Abu Suafian Shakil shares the lead in the Commonwealth Chess Championship as the second round came to a close at Waskaduwa in Sri Lanka yesterday.

Shakil, who shares the lead with 30 other participants, beat Sri Lankan counterpart Fernando JM Marlon during his second round board, earning him the maximum two points available from as many matches.

Shakil overcame another Sri Lankan, Abeysinghe HMH Janandani, in the first round and as per a Bangladesh Chess Federation press release; he faces Malaysian Looi Xin Hao in the third round.

A total of 185 players from 10 countries which include nine grandmasters, two women grandmasters, six International Masters and four women International Masters are participating in the event.