Uzbek GM Cites 'religious Reasons' Behind Refusing Handshake With India's Vaishali

Uzbek GM cites 'religious reasons' behind refusing handshake with India's Vaishali (Image Source: IANS)

Tata Steel Chess Tournament: Uzbekistan's Grandmaster Nodirbek Yakubboev has issued an explanation regarding the refusal to shake hands with Indian GM R Vaishali during the Tata Steel Chess Tournament, saying he didn't shake hands with the Indian GM because of "religious reasons".

A video circulating on social media shows Vaishali extending her hand before the start of a fourth-round match against Yakubboev. However, Yakubboev sits down without acknowledging her gesture, leaving the Indian player visibly uncomfortable.

Once the video went viral, Yakubboev posted a response on 'X' saying, "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."

"I respect Vaishali and her brother as the strongest chess players in India. If I have offended her with my behaviour, I apologise.

"I have some additional explanations: 1)Chess is not haram. 2) What I did before (referring to the game with Divya in 2023 and cases like that) I consider it wrong for me. 3) I do what I need to do. I do not insist others not to shake hands with the opposite gender or for women to wear hijab or burqa. It is their business what to do," he explained.

To prevent a similar situation in the eighth-round match against Romania's Irina Bulmaga, Yakubboev said that he informed her beforehand about his religious beliefs.

"Today I told Irina Bulmaga about it. She agreed to it. But when I came to the playing hall, the arbiters told me that I should at least do Namaste as a gesture. In the games with Divya and Vaishali I couldn't tell them about it before the game and there was an awkward situation," he added.

The 23-year-old lost the match against Vashali, who did not offer a handshake after beating the Uzbek player. The Uzbek, however, won against Bulmaga in the eighth round and is currently on four points after eight rounds in the Challengers' section.

"Today I told Irina Bulmaga about it. She agreed to it. But when I came to the playing hall, the arbiters told me that I should at least do Namaste as a gesture. In the games with Divya and Vaishali I couldn't tell them about it before the game and there was an awkward situation," he added.

Article Source: IANS