Nodirbek d’Ouzbek apologizes to Vaihali after refusing the handshake, gives him flowers: “ I am sorry ” – Firstpost

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.

https://twitter.com/SumitHansd/status/1883801675171090926?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

“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. »»

https://twitter.com/ChessbaseIndia/status/1884992273269584159?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

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.