Nodirbek Yakubboev Explains Refusal to Shake Hands with Vaishali at Tata Steel Chess 2025
Uzbekistan's Grandmaster Nodirbek Yakubboev refused to shake hands with Vaishali Ramesh Babu in the Tata Steel Chess Tournament, after which he has now clarified it. Nodirbek Yakubboev has cited religious beliefs behind this move.
Yakubboev is currently the joint leader of the tournament along with world champions D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa. Nodirbek wrote on X,
"Dear chess friends, I want to tell you about the situation that happened in the game with Vaishali. With all due respect to women and Indian chess players, I would like to inform everyone that I do not touch other women for religious reasons."
He further wrote,
"I respect Vaishali and her brother as the strongest chess players in India. If I have offended them with my behavior, I apologise. "
Nodirbek further clarified that chess is not haram. After this, talking about one of his old moves, he wrote,
"What I did before (referring to the game with Divya in 2023 and matters like that) I think it's wrong for myself. I do what I should do. I don't insist on others not shaking hands with people of the opposite sex or women wearing hijab or burqa. It's their job to do what they do. "
"Today I told Irina Bulmaga about it. She agreed to it. But when I came to the sports hall, the moderators told me that I should at least say hello. In the game with Divya and Vaishali I couldn't tell them about it before the game and an awkward situation ensued," he further wrote.