Explained: Why Uzbekistan's Nodirbek Yakubboev refused to shake hands with R Vaishali at Tata Steel Chess tournament

Indian grandmaster Rameshbabu Vaishali recently defeated Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Yakubboev in the Challengers section of the 2025 Tata Steel Chess tournament in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands. The two clashed in round four of the competition and Vaishali got the better of Nodirbek with black pieces.

However, that game was marred by controversy after Nodirbek declined Vaishali’s offer for a handshake. In a video that went viral on social media, Vaishali offered Nodirbek a handshake before the contest. Still, Nodirbek refused to do so, just subtly waving his hand.

The 23-year-old Uzbekistani grandmaster later took to “X” to explain why he refused to shake hands with Vaishali. He said that he does not touch women due to religious beliefs.

More from Sports

'Likely to face suspension': Big blow for India as Aman Sehrawat disqualified at World Championships for embarrassing reason Sunil Chhetri returns as Indian football team coach Khalid Jamil names probables for AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers

‘I do not touch other women due to religious reasons’: Yakubboev

“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,” he wrote while tagging ChessBase India and Uzbekistan Chess.

😰 Nouveau scandale dans le monde des échecs ♟ Dans le tournoi Challengers du Tata Steel Chess, le joueur ouzbek arrive en retard et refuse de serrer la main de la joueuse indienne.

Le grand-maître Nodirbek Yakubboev (UZB, 2659) affrontait la grand-maître R Vaishali (IND, 2476)… pic.twitter.com/UyIO1aZoRm

— Échecs & Stratégie (@Chess_Strategy) January 26, 2025

He, however, added that he had the utmost respect for Vaishali and R Praggnanandhaa, her brother who is also a grandmaster. “I respect Vaishali and her brother as the strongest chess players in India. If I have offended her with my behavior, I apologize. I have some additional explanations: 1. Chess is not haram.”

“2. What I did before (referring to the game with Divya in 2023 and cases like that) I consider it wrong for me. 3. 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,” he added.

“Today 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. In the games with Divya and Vaishali I couldn’t tell them about it before the game and there was an awkward situation,” he concluded.

Indian social media users were not happy with Nodirbek refusing to shake hands with Vaishali. Here are a few reactions:

Uzbekistan chess player Nodirbek refuses to shake hands with Vaishali as it is haram but plays the game which is haram as well

Vaishali still goes onto win the game pic.twitter.com/uoTiF3NyOc

— Hindutva Knight (@HPhobiaWatch) January 27, 2025

Doesn’t shake hand because it is Haram!
Plays the game which is Haram!
Loses the game which is Haram!

Uzbekistan Chess Player Nodirbek for you guys! pic.twitter.com/x0R7VFofUC

— Pulkit G. Singh Bisht (@ThePulkitSBisht) January 27, 2025

Another user questioned if religion influences sports and noted that Nodirbek had been seen shaking hands with other female players earlier.

A renowned Uzbek chess Grandmaster, Nodirbek, refused to shake hands with India's Women's Grandmaster Vaishali.

Does religion influence sports? However, he was seen shaking hands with other female players earlier. pic.twitter.com/fGR61wvwUP

— Ayushh (@ayushh_it_is) January 27, 2025

After eight rounds at the Tata Steel Chess tournament , Vaishali is in sixth place with 4.5 points in the Challengers section, whereas Nodirbek is placed 10th with four points.

D Gukesh , Nodirbek Abdusattarov and R Praggnanandhaa jointly lead the Masters section.