Yakubboev apologises to Vaishali and Divya after no-handshake incident

by Carlos Alberto Colodro
1/31/2025 – A handshake controversy at the Tata Steel Challengers tournament sparked heated debate after GM Nodirbek Yakubboev declined Vaishali Rameshbabu's pre-game gesture, citing religious reasons. The incident drew widespread criticism, with many questioning the inconsistency of his actions. In response, Yakubboev publicly apologised and later met Vaishali and Divya Deshmukh, offering chocolates and flowers. | Photo: ChessBase India

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Chocolates and flowers

In the fourth round of the Tata Steel Challengers tournament in Wijk aan Zee, a notable incident occurred between GMs Nodirbek Yakubboev of Uzbekistan and Vaishali Rameshbabu of India. As the game commenced, Vaishali extended her hand for the customary handshake, but Yakubboev declined the gesture.

The incident prompted a significant outcry online, with many expressing their views on Yakubboev's behaviour. It was noted specifically - using screenshots from video footage - that the Uzbek GM had shaken Divya Deshmukh's hand at the 2023 edition of the Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival.

In response to the controversy, Yakubboev took to X to provide an explanation (his account has now been deactivated). He wrote:

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.

He further clarified that he holds great respect for Vaishali and her brother Praggnanandhaa, and apologised if his actions caused any offence. Yakubboev emphasized that his decision was not intended as a sign of disrespect. This apology did not prevent chess pundits from criticising the Uzbek player's behaviour. Former women's world champion Susan Polgar weighed in on the matter, stating:

This is my opinion: I have less of an issue with the religious excuse. Others may disagree. BUT, he could have informed the organizers, chief arbiter, and/or his female opponents in advance. This is NOT an Open Swiss event. This is a prestigious invitational when he knew in advance that he would face four female opponents. If he wanted an exception then be proactive. Otherwise, he has to expect criticism.

Given the fact that the controversy continued to elicit criticism, Yakubboev decided to meet Vaishali and apologise to her personally. As recorded in a video produced by ChessBase India, besides speaking with Vaishali, Yakubboev gifted her chocolate and flowers. It was also informed that Yakubboev had not shaken hands with Divya in the first round. The Uzbek GM, thus, also apologised and gifted chocolates and flowers to Divya.

Yakubboev and Vaishali currently stand in shared 9th place in the 14-player Tata Steel Challengers, each with a 5/10 score. Divya is struggling in Wijk aan Zee, as she has so far collected 2/10 points. Yakubboev beat Divya and lost to Vaishali in their direct encounters. Replay both games below.

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1.e4 8 c5 34 2.Nf3 12 d6 20 3.d4 27 cxd4 48 4.Nxd4 12 Nf6 8 5.f3 22 e5 2:56 6.Nb3 1:08 Be7 6:46 7.c4 55 a5 16 8.Be3 11 0-0 5:06 9.Be2 1:50 Nc6 9:57 10.0-0 6:53 Nh5 2:04 11.Qd2 23:11 Nf4 23:45 12.Bxf4 21:12 exf4 15 13.Nc3 1:29 Bf6 6:05 14.Rad1 8:29 Be6 20:09 15.Nb5 3:51 15.Qxf4? a4 16.Nc1 16.Rxd6? Qb8-+ 16...Qb6+ 17.Kh1 a3-+ 17...Qxb2 18.Nd5 15.Qxd6 a4 16.Qxf4 Qb6+ 17.c5 Qb4 15...Be5 3:49 16.N3d4 5:02 Nxd4 4:08 17.Nxd4 1 a4 4:43 18.Qb4 4:14 Qc7 26 19.Rd2 8:16 Qc5 8:11 20.Qxc5 20 dxc5 1 21.Nb5 28 g6 2:46 22.Rfd1 29 Ra6 56 23.Kf2 3:36 Kg7 10 24.Rg1 5:04 Kf6 2:28 25.g4 7:03 Raa8 3:12 26.h3 2:05 h5 1:08 27.Rc1 2:30 White should try 27.g5+ Ke7 28.h4 27...Rh8 1:12 28.Bf1 1 Rad8 47 29.Rcd1 3:25 Ra8 21 30.Rc1! 1 hxg4 30 31.fxg4 1:14 Kg5 44 32.Rcc2 1:15 32.Rcd1 32...Rad8-+ 49 33.Kf3 41 Rd7 41 34.Nc3? 44 34.Rxd7 is a better defense. Bxd7 35.Rd2 34...Rxd2 21 35.Rxd2 1
35...a3! 11       36.Nd1 59 36.Na4 Bxc4 36...axb2 25 37.Nxb2 1 Ra8 21 38.a4 34 Bd4 1:11 39.Be2 48 Ra6 30 40.Bd1 29 Rb6 39 41.Nd3 50:02 Bxc4 50:39 ...Be3 is the strong threat. 42.Nxf4 0 Kh4 0 43.Nd5 0 Prevents Rf6+. Rb1 0 44.Kg2? 0 44.Ne3 only move. Bb3 45.Rd3 Bxd1+ 46.Nxd1 44...Ra1 0 45.Nb6 0 Ba6 0 46.g5 0 Be3 0 47.Rd8 0 Bd4 0 ( -> ...Ra2+) Repels Rh8+ Worse is 47...Bxg5 48.Rh8+ 48.Bg4 0 Ra2+ 0
0–1
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Deshmukh,D2490Yakubboev,N26590–1202587th Tata Steel Challengers 20251.1
Yakubboev,N2659Vaishali,R24760–1202587th Tata Steel Challengers 20254.7

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Carlos Colodro is a Hispanic Philologist from Bolivia. He works as a freelance translator and writer since 2012. A lot of his work is done in chess-related texts, as the game is one of his biggest interests, along with literature and music.
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