Uzbek Grandmaster Nodirbek Yakubboev Apologizes to R Vaishali with Flowers and Chocolates at Tata Steel Chess 2025

Uzbek Grandmaster Nodirbek Yakubboev has made headlines after personally apologizing to India’s R Vaishali following a handshake controversy at the Tata Steel Chess 2025 tournament. The incident, where Nodirbek refused to shake hands with Vaishali before their game, sparked criticism from the chess community.

In an effort to make amends, Nodirbek met Vaishali in person and offered her flowers and chocolates as a gesture of goodwill. He apologized for the “awkward situation” and explained that it was due to a “misunderstanding.” Vaishali graciously accepted his apology, stating that she understood and there was no need for him to worry.

The controversy began when Nodirbek, with a world ranking of 67 and an Elo rating of 2659, declined to shake hands with Vaishali at the start of their game. He later posted an apology on social media, citing “religious reasons” for his actions. However, the apology was met with further criticism, with legendary chess player Susan Polgar pointing out that Nodirbek had shaken hands with Indian players in the past.

Despite the initial backlash, Nodirbek’s apology and gesture of goodwill towards Vaishali have been well-received. The two players are currently competing in the Tata Steel Chess 2025 Challengers tournament, with Nodirbek in ninth place and Vaishali in tenth, both with five points each.

The chess world is now watching to see how this incident will impact the remainder of the tournament and the players’ future interactions on and off the board.