Mhage Sebastian and FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri suffered sixth-round defeats but remained hopeful for a better finish in the World Junior Chess Championships in Sardinia, Italy Monday night, Oct. 17.
Sebastian succumbed to Woman FIDE Master Laman Hajiyeva of Azerbaijan while Nouri fell to another Azeri, Grandmaster Mahammad Muradii, that sent them spiralling down in the middle of the pack.
Sebastian was stranded at a share of 28th place with 10 others with three points apiece while Nouri was sent down in a group with 2.5 points.
But with five more rounds to go, Sebastian and Nouri hope to turn things around in their favor as they face off with WFM Gulenay Aydin of Turkey and the International Master Tarun Kanyamarala of Ireland, respectively in the seventh round at press time.
It was a heartbreaker for Sebastian as she was coming off three straight victories over Pilar Silvera of Uruguay, Chloe Badenhorst of South Africa and WFM Gabija Simkunaite of Lithuania.