 "Uzbek's Nodirbek apologises to Vaishali after refusing handshake, gifts her flowers: 'I'm sorry'")
After criticism from across the chess world for refusing to shake hands with Indian Grandmaster R Vaishali , Uzbek Grandmaster Nodirbek Yakubboev personally met her and apologized for his actions, on Thursday on the sidelines of Tata Steel Chess 2025 at Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands.
Nodirbek also brought flowers and chocolates for Vaishali as he apologised for the “awkward situation” that was caused due to a “misunderstanding”.
Chess world slams Nodirbek for refusing handshake
Nodirbek, who has a world ranking of 67 and a current Elo rating of 2659, refused to shake hands with Vaishali at the start of the 4th round in the Tata Steel Challengers competition on 21 January. As a result of his act, Nodirbek came under immense criticism as the video went viral on social media platforms.
Social media users accused Nodirbek of disrespecting Vaishali even as he posted an apology on X, which has since been deleted. In his apology post, the 23-year-old Uzbek chess player had said he did not shake hands with Vaishali due to “religious” reasons.
Uzbekistan, Nodirbek Yakubboev refused to shake hands with Vaishali at Tata Steel Chess due to religious reasons.
— Sumit (@SumitHansd) January 27, 2025
He had earlier shaken hands with Indian Player like Divya Deshmukh during 2023
Anyways, Vaishali has defeated Nodirbek in the same game!!
🇺🇿🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/nx74UirE1g
“Dear chess friends, 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,” Nodirbek wrote.
The apology post, however, backfired as legendary chess player Susan Polgar pointed out that Nodirbek shaking hands with India’s Divya Deshmukh in 2023. She also added that the Uzbeki chess player should have informed the female competitors in advance about him not wanting to shake hands and having failed to do so, he should "expect criticism” .
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More ShortsNodirbek gifts flowers, chocolates to Vaishali
Nodirbek has now tried to end the controversy by meeting Vaishali, her brother, R Praggnanandhaa, and their mother as he apologised in person.
“I’m sorry for what had happened? It was an awkward situation for both of us. I was hurrying that day. It looks like some misunderstanding,” Nodirbek said in a video shared by ChessBase India. “And I want to wish good luck for the remaining games for both of you. Just want to say. I respect you and your brother both. Both of you, and all the Indian chess players.”
Uzbek GM Nodirbek Yakubboev met GM R. Vaishali and apologized to her. He did so by brining flowers and chocolate.
— ChessBase India (@ChessbaseIndia) January 30, 2025
Full video: https://t.co/TEm7o4Bn3W pic.twitter.com/vnJV8NBdIj
Vaishali, who has an Elo rating of 2476, accepted the apology and added that she is “totally fine” as Nodirbek has realised his mistake.
“No, it’s clearly understandable. I didn’t take it that way, so we didn’t have to feel bad. You actually apologised. It’s totally fine. You don’t have to worry about it,” Vaishali said.
While Nordibek is currently ninth in the Tata Steel Chess 2025 Challengers standings with 5 out of 10 points, Vaishali is 10 with same number of points.
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