The Grand Master Ouzbek Nodirbek Yakubboev has personally apologized to Ra Vauli from India after the controversy of the handshake at Tata Steel Chess 2025. Meet her in person, Nodirbek offered flowers and choclates from Vahali as a Gesture of good will and said, “I’m sorry.” The incident had aroused criticism, many questioning his decision not to shake hands before the match.
Learn more
After criticisms from all over the world of chess for refusing to shake hands with the Grand Indian Master R Vaishali, the Grand Master Ouzbek Nodirbek Yakubev personally encountered and apologized for his actions, on Thursday on the line of Tata Steel Chess 2025 touch at Wijk Aan Zee, Netherlands.
Nodirbek also brought flowers and chocolates for Vaishali while he apologized for the “clumsy situation” which was caused due to a “misunderstanding”.
Chess World Nodirbek to refuse the handshake
Nodirbek, which has a global ranking of 67 and a current Elo note of 2659, refused to shake hands with Vauli at the start of the 4th round of the Tata Steel Challengers competition on January 21. Following his act, Nodirbek was the subject of huge criticisms while the video has become viral on social media platforms.
Social media users have accused Nodirbek of disrespecting Vaehali when he had published apologies on X, which has since been deleted. In his post as an apology, the 23 -year -old Ouzbek chess player said that he had not shook the hand of Vauli for “religious” reasons.
Ouzbekistan, Nodirbek Yakuboev refused to shake hands from Vauli to Tata Steel Chess for religious reasons.
He had previously shakes hands with an Indian player like Divya Deshmukh in 2023
Anyway, Vaishali defeated Nodirbek in the same game !!
🇺🇿🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/nx74uire1g
– Sumit (@Sumithansd) January 27, 2025
“Dear chess friends, I want to explain the situation that occurred in the game with Vaishali. With all the respect due to women and players of Indian chess, I want to inform everyone that I do not touch other women for religious reasons, “wrote Nodirbek.
The post of the apology, however, turned against the legendary chess player Susan Polgar stressed that Nodirbek shaking the hand of Divya Deshmukh from India in 2023. She also added that the chess player Ouzbeki should have informed female competitors in advance about it so as not to want to shake the hand and shake the hand and shake the hand and shake the hand and shake the hand and shake the hand and shake the hand and that Unable to do so, he should “expect criticism”.
Nodirbek gift flowers, Chocolates in Vaishali
Nodirbek has now tried to end the controversy by meeting Vaishali, his brother, R Praggnanandhaa, and their mother when he apologized in person.
“I’m sorry for what had happened?” It was a difficult situation for both of us. I dispatched myself that day. It looks like misunderstandings, “said Nodirbek in a video shared by India chess. “And I want to wish good luck for the remaining games for both of you. I just want to say. I respect you and your brother both. You two and all Indian chess players. »»
Uzbék GM Nodirbek Yakubboev met the GM R. Vauli and apologized to her. He did it with browsing flowers and chocolate.
Complete video: https://t.co/tem7o4bn3w pic.twitter.com/vnjv8nbdij
– Chessbase India (@chessbaseindia) January 30, 2025
Vaishali, which has an Elo note of 2476, accepted the apology and added that it was “totally good” because Nodirbek made her error.
“No, it’s clearly understandable. I didn’t take it that way, so we didn’t have to feel bad. You apologized. It’s quite good. You don’t have to worry about it, “said Vaishali.
While Nordibek is currently ninth in the Tata Steel Chess 2025 ranking with 5 out of 10 points, Vaishali is 10 with the same number of points.
