Tata Steel Chess Tournament; R Vaishali Vs Nodirbek Yakubboev Controversy | Uzbekistani Grandmaster did not shake hands with Indian female player: Said- does not touch other women due to religious reasons; later apologized

Controversy erupted at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament after Grandmaster Nodyrbek Yakuboev refused to shake hands with Indian Grandmaster R Vaishali. However, as the controversy escalated, the Uzbekistani player apologized, saying he had no intention of being disrespectful and did so for ‘religious reasons’.

Posted a video on social media. In this, Vaishali can be seen extending her hand before the start of the fourth round match against Yakuboev, but the Uzbekistan player sat without shaking hands, due to which the Indian player looked uncomfortable. 23-year-old Yakuboev became a Grandmaster in 2019. They had lost that game. They have three points after eight rounds in the Challengers category.

A South African player posted a video of this matter.

Yakuboev gave clarification in social post After the short video went viral, Yakuboev posted a longer response on ‘X’. In which he said that he has full respect for Vaishali and her younger brother R Praggnananda but he does not touch other women for religious reasons.

Yakuboev, who follows the Muslim religion, wrote that I want to clarify the situation that arose during the bet 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.

Yakuboev made 4 posts one after the other on X.

Yakuboev’s whole story-

I respect Vaishali and her brother as India’s strongest chess players. If I have offended them with my behaviour, I apologize. I have some additional clarifications: Chess is not haram.

Yakuboev wrote…

I do what I should do. I don’t ask others not to shake hands with people of the opposite sex or ask women to wear hijab or burqa. It’s their job what they do. To avoid such a situation in the eighth round match against Romania’s Irina Bulmaga, I had already told her about my religious beliefs.

Yakuboeb further wrote…

Today (Sunday) I told Irina Bulamaga about it. She agreed to this. But when I came to the playground, the judges told me that I should at least say Namaste. I could not tell them about it before the match against Divya and Vaishali and an awkward situation was created.

Pragyanananda played a draw with Gukesh In the 8th round of the tournament, Indian Grand Master R Praggnananda played a draw with World Champion D Gukesh. Praggnananda was looking in good condition at one time, but Gukesh played cautiously. When there was no clear outcome in sight, both players agreed to a draw after 33 moves.

After this draw, both Praggnananda and Gukesh are leading with Nodirbek Abdusatorov of Uzbekistan by 5.5 points. The Uzbekistan player shared the points with Vladimir Fedoseev of Slovenia. Among other Indian players participating in the competition, Grandmaster P Harikrishna played out a draw with Anish Giri of Netherlands. Harikrishna has four points out of a possible eight.

Arjun Erigaysi played out a draw with Serbia’s Alexei Sarana while Leon Luc Mendonca played out a draw with Netherlands’ Jordan Van Foreest. Arrigasi is half a point behind Mendonca with two points.

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