Controversy over Uzbekistan's Nodirbek Yakubboev's refusal to shake hands with Indian Grandmaster R Vaishali; X post citing 'religious reasons'

AMSTERDAM: Controversy over Uzbekistan Grandmaster Nodirbek Yakubboev's refusal to shake hands with Indian Grandmaster R Vaishali ahead of chess match. The incident took place during the Tata Steel Chess tournament which is being played in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands. The controversy arose when the footage of this was widely circulated on social media.

In the footage released, the Uzbekistan star is seen pulling back even though Vaishali is reaching out for a handshake. Ahead of the fourth round match between the two, Vaishali extended her hand to Nodirbek Yakubboev who approached the chess board. However, the Grandmaster refused and sat on the nearby chair.

Now Yakubov has come forward with an explanation of the incident. The explanation was through his X page. He wrote in X that the handshake was not given due to religious reasons.

"Dear chess friends,
I want to explain the situation that happened in the game with Vaishali. With all due respect to women and Indian chess players, I want to inform everyone that I do not touch other women for religious reasons.' - Yakubboev clarified.