Grandmaster Nodirbek Yakubboev’s refusal to shake hands with Indian GM R Vaishali sparked outrage during the Tata Steel Chess Tournament before the Uzbek apologised, claiming that he meant no harm and did not reciprocate the gesture for “religious reasons”. In a video uploaded on social media by ChessBase India. Vaishali is shown offering her hand before the start of a fourth-round match against Yakubboev. The latter sits down without answering, leaving the Indian awkward.
Nodirbek Yakubboev, 23, who became a GM in 2019, lost the match and now has three points after eight rounds in the Challengers section. After the short video went viral, Yakubboev issued a lengthy comment on ‘X’, saying he had all respect for Vaishali and her younger brother R. Praggnanandhaa, but he “does not touch other women due to religious reasons.” Vaishali didn’t extend her hand after defeating the Uzbek player.
The Indian has four points after eight rounds, with five more to go. Yakubboev stated that to avoid a situation like this in the eighth round against Romania’s Irina Bulmaga, he informed her about his religious beliefs ahead of time. Another Uzbek player, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, is competing in the tournament’s ‘Open’ section.
Here’s the video
Sportsmanship in Question
Yakubboev wrote, “I want to explain the situation that happened in the game with Vaishali. With all due respect to women and Indian chess players, I want to inform everyone that I do not touch other women for religious reasons. I respect Vaishali and her brother as the strongest chess players in India. If I have offended her with my behavior, I apologise.”
“I have some additional explanations: 1. Chess is not haram. I do what I need to do. I do not insist others not to shake hands with the opposite gender or for women to wear hijab or burqa. It is their business what to do. Today (Sunday) I told Irina Bulmaga about it. She agreed to it. But when I came to the playing hall, the arbiters told me that I should at least do Namaste as a gesture.”
