The Grand Master Uzbekistan Nodirbek Yakubev revealed the reason why he refused to shake hands with R Va Vahali from India before their match with Tata 2025 steel chess recently. Vaishali won a victory against Nodirbek in their match last week.
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The Grand Master Indian Rameshbabu Vaul recently beat the Nodirbek Yakubev in Uzbekistan in the Challengers section of the Tata 2025 steel tournament at Wijk Aan Zee, Netherlands. The two clashed in the fourth round of the competition and Vaishali was right for Nodirbek with black parts.
However, this game was marred by the controversy after Nodirbek refused Vauli’s offer for a handshake. In a video that has become viral on social networks, Vaishali offered Nodirbek a handshake before the competition. However, Nodirbek refused to do so, subtly waving his hand.
The 23 -year -old Grand Master Uzbekistan then went to “X” to explain why he refused to shake hands with Vauli. He said he does not touch women due to religious beliefs.
“ I do not touch other women for religious reasons ”: yakubboev
“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, “he wrote by marking the failures of India and failures in Uzbekistan.
😰 New scandal in the world of chess ♟ In the Tata Steel Chess Challengers tournament, the Uzbek player arrives late and refuses to shake hands with the Indian player.
Grand-master Nodirbek Yakuboev (UZB, 2659) faced the grand master R Vaishali (Ind, 2476)… pic.twitter.com/uyio1azorm
– failures & strategy (@chess_strategy) January 26, 2025
However, he added that he had the greatest respect for Vaishali and R Praggnanandhaa, his brother who is also a great master. “I respect Vaishali and his brother as the strongest chess players in India. If I offended it from my behavior, I apologize. I have some additional explanations: 1. failures are not haram. »»
“2. What I have done before (referring to the game with Divya in 2023 and cases like that), I consider that it deceives me. 3. I do what I have to do. I do not insist for others not to shake hands with the opposite sex or for women wearing the hijab or burqa. This is their business what to do, ”he added.
“Today, I spoke to Irina Bulmaga. She accepted it. But when I arrived in the game room, the referees told me that I had to at least do namaste like a gesture. In the games with Divya and Vaishali, I couldn’t tell them about it before the match and there was a delicate situation, “he concluded.
Indian social media users were not satisfied with Nodirbek’s refusal to shake hands with Vaihali. Here are some reactions:
The chess player in Uzbekistan Nodirbek refuses to shake the hand of Vauli because it is Haram but plays the game which is also Haram
Vaihali continues to win the match pic.twitter.com/uotif3nyoc
– Hindutva Knight (@hphobiawatch) January 27, 2025
Don’t shake hands because it’s Haram!
Play the game that is haram!
Lose the game that is haram!Chess player in Uzbekistan Nodirbek for you guys! pic.twitter.com/x0r7vfofuc
– Pulkit G. Singh Bisht (@thepulkitsbisht) January 27, 2025
Another user wondered if religion influences sports and noted that Nodirbek had been seen shaking with other players earlier.
A renowned Ouzbek chess master, Nodirbek, refused to shake hands with the great female master of India Vaihali.
Does religion influence sports? However, he was seen shaking with other players earlier. pic.twitter.com/fgr61wvwup
– Ayushh (@Ayushh_it_i) January 27, 2025
After eight laps at the Tata Steel chess tournament, Vaishali is in sixth place with 4.5 points in the Challengers section, while Nodirbek is placed 10th with four points.
D Gukesh, Nodirbek Abdusattarov and R Praggnanandhaa jointly lead the Masters section.
