Controversy at Tata Steel Chess Tournament as Uzbek GM Refuses Handshake with Indian Player

The Tata Steel Chess Tournament recently made headlines for a controversial moment involving Uzbekistan’s Grandmaster Nodirbek Yakubboev and Indian GM R Vaishali. The incident occurred before their fourth-round match when Yakubboev refused to shake hands with Vaishali, citing religious beliefs that prohibit physical contact with women outside his family.

A video capturing the awkward exchange quickly went viral, sparking a debate on faith versus tradition in the chess community. Yakubboev later took to social media to explain his actions, stating that his intention was not to disrespect Vaishali but to adhere to his religious beliefs. He expressed admiration for Vaishali and her brother, R Praggnanandhaa, acknowledging them as among India’s strongest chess players.

To avoid further misunderstandings, Yakubboev informed Romanian player Irina Bulmaga about his beliefs before their game and used a “Namaste” gesture instead of a handshake. He plans to continue this practice moving forward. Vaishali, visibly unsettled by the incident, did not offer a handshake after defeating Yakubboev in their match.

Yakubboev emphasized that while his faith guides his personal conduct, he respects players of all backgrounds and does not impose his beliefs on others. He expressed regret if his actions caused any offense and reiterated his admiration for the chess community as a whole. The incident serves as a reminder of the diverse cultural perspectives present in the world of chess.