Controversy at Tata Steel Chess Tournament: Nodirbek Yakubboev Refuses Handshake with Vaishali

Indian grandmaster Rameshbabu Vaishali made headlines at the 2025 Tata Steel Chess Tournament with her impressive victory over Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Yakubboev in the Challengers section. The two faced off in round four, where Vaishali emerged victorious with the black pieces.

However, the match took a controversial turn when Nodirbek declined Vaishali’s offer for a handshake before the game. In a video that went viral on social media, Nodirbek can be seen subtly waving his hand instead of shaking Vaishali’s hand. He later took to social media to explain that he does not touch women due to religious beliefs.

Despite Nodirbek’s explanation, his actions sparked anger and disappointment among the Indian audience and chess enthusiasts. Many expressed their disapproval of his behavior on social media.

Vaishali, on the other hand, continues to impress in the tournament, currently placed sixth in the Challengers section standings with 4.5 points after eight rounds. Nodirbek, on the other hand, stands 10th with four points.

The incident has brought attention to the intersection of sportsmanship, cultural beliefs, and gender dynamics in the world of chess, sparking a conversation about respect and inclusivity in the game.