Highlights

  • Uzbek GM declines handshake.
  • Apology issued on religious grounds.
  • Sparked cultural discussions.

Latest news

Pakistani Hindu pilgrims experience Maha Kumbh for the first time

Pakistani Hindu pilgrims experience Maha Kumbh for the first time

Two safe as mirage 2000 crashes in Madhya Pradesh

Two safe as mirage 2000 crashes in Madhya Pradesh

Contradictions in Pakistan's Kashmir peace claims

Contradictions in Pakistan's Kashmir peace claims

AAP accuses BJP of Rs 15 Crore poaching attempt pre-Delhi poll results

AAP accuses BJP of Rs 15 Crore poaching attempt pre-Delhi poll results

Israel orders army to plan to let Palestinians leave Gaza

Israel orders army to plan to let Palestinians leave Gaza

Harshit Rana shines on debut as India bundle England for 248 in 1st ODI

Harshit Rana shines on debut as India bundle England for 248 in 1st ODI

PM Modi targets Congress over Emergency Era actions, emphasizes BJP’s 'Nation First' approach

PM Modi targets Congress over Emergency Era actions, emphasizes BJP’s 'Nation First' approach

Need early reform of key multilateral bodies including UNSC President Murmu

Need early reform of key multilateral bodies including UNSC President Murmu

Uzbek GM Yakubboev apologises for not shaking hands with India's Vaishali at Tata Steel Chess Tournament

Uzbek Grandmaster Nodirbek Yakubboev declined a handshake with Indian Grandmaster R Vaishali, citing religious beliefs, sparking controversy. He expressed admiration for Vaishali, apologized, and used a Namaste gesture to avoid further misunderstandings.

Uzbek GM Yakubboev apologises for not shaking hands with India's Vaishali at Tata Steel Chess Tournament

A moment of controversy unfolded at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament when Uzbek Grandmaster (GM) Nodirbek Yakubboev declined to shake hands with Indian GM R Vaishali before their fourth-round match. The incident, captured in a viral video shared by ChessBase India, showed Vaishali extending her hand, only for Yakubboev to sit down without responding, leaving the Indian player visibly awkward.

Yakubboev, 23, later apologised in a lengthy post on X, explaining his actions were due to his religious beliefs. "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," wrote Yakubboev, who is a practising Muslim.

He also expressed admiration for Vaishali and her brother, Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa. "I respect Vaishali and her brother as the strongest chess players in India. If I have offended her with my behaviour, I apologise," he added.

The controversy gained further attention after Vaishali did not offer her hand following her victory over Yakubboev in the match. Vaishali now stands on four points after eight rounds in the Challengers' section, while Yakubboev has three points.

To avoid future misunderstandings, Yakubboev informed Romanian player Irina Bulmaga about his religious beliefs before their eighth-round game, which reportedly prevented any awkwardness. "The arbiters suggested I at least perform a Namaste as a gesture of respect," Yakubboev shared.

The incident has sparked conversations about cultural and religious sensitivities in competitive sports, highlighting the importance of communication and mutual respect among players. Yakubboev remains committed to the tournament, alongside fellow Uzbek player Nodirbek Abdusattorov, who is competing in the Open section.

ADVERTISEMENT

Up Next

Uzbek GM Yakubboev apologises for not shaking hands with India's Vaishali at Tata Steel Chess Tournament

Uzbek GM Yakubboev apologises for not shaking hands with India's Vaishali at Tata Steel Chess Tournament

Mohun Bagan secures play-off spot with 3-0 win over Punjab FC

Mohun Bagan secures play-off spot with 3-0 win over Punjab FC

Champions Trophy 2025: Australia’s pace battery depletes further as Cummins, Hazlewood ruled out

Champions Trophy 2025: Australia’s pace battery depletes further as Cummins, Hazlewood ruled out

Ind vs Eng 1st ODI: England opt to bat; Kohli misses out, debut for Jaiswal, Rana

Ind vs Eng 1st ODI: England opt to bat; Kohli misses out, debut for Jaiswal, Rana

Setback for Australia ahead of Champions Trophy as Marcus Stoinis announces immediate ODI retirement

Setback for Australia ahead of Champions Trophy as Marcus Stoinis announces immediate ODI retirement

India's Champions Trophy 2025 preparations commence with England ODI series

India's Champions Trophy 2025 preparations commence with England ODI series

ADVERTISEMENT

editorji-whatsApp

More videos

Abhishek Sharma rises to second in ICC T20I rankings, Chakravarthy gains three spots

Abhishek Sharma rises to second in ICC T20I rankings, Chakravarthy gains three spots

Sanju Samson sidelined for 5-6 weeks due to index finger fracture

Sanju Samson sidelined for 5-6 weeks due to index finger fracture

Abhishek Sharma smashes record-breaking 135 as India thrash England by 150 runs in T20I

Abhishek Sharma smashes record-breaking 135 as India thrash England by 150 runs in T20I

Praggnanandhaa defeats D Gukesh in thrilling tiebreaker to win Tata Steel Masters 2025

Praggnanandhaa defeats D Gukesh in thrilling tiebreaker to win Tata Steel Masters 2025

Abhishek Sharma calls 135-run knock 'special' in 5th T20I victory over England

Abhishek Sharma calls 135-run knock 'special' in 5th T20I victory over England

India clinches series 4-1 as Abhishek Sharma shines in dominant win over England

India clinches series 4-1 as Abhishek Sharma shines in dominant win over England

Australia crushes Sri Lanka by an innings and 242 runs in historic Test victory

Australia crushes Sri Lanka by an innings and 242 runs in historic Test victory

India beat England by 15 runs in 4th T20I, take unassailable 3-1 lead in the series

India beat England by 15 runs in 4th T20I, take unassailable 3-1 lead in the series

Sachin Tendulkar to get BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award

Sachin Tendulkar to get BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award

Virat Kohli dismissed for six runs in Ranji Trophy return leaving fans disappointed

Virat Kohli dismissed for six runs in Ranji Trophy return leaving fans disappointed

Editorji Technologies Pvt. Ltd. © 2022 All Rights Reserved.