Uzbek GM Yakubboev Declines Handshake with Vaishali Due to Religious Reasons; Later Apologizes
Tata Steel Chess Tournament Incident Sparks Controversy
A moment of awkwardness and controversy unfolded at the prestigious Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2025 in Wijk Aan Zee, Netherlands, when Uzbek Grandmaster (GM) Nodirbek Yakubboev declined a handshake from Indian GM R Vaishali before their fourth-round match. The incident, captured on video and widely circulated on social media by ChessBase India, quickly went viral, leading to mixed reactions from the chess community.
Yakubboev, who later apologized publicly, clarified that his decision was based on religious beliefs and was not intended as a sign of disrespect toward Vaishali.
Handshake Refusal: What Happened?
Before the start of their fourth-round match, Vaishali extended her hand as a standard gesture of sportsmanship. However, Yakubboev sat down without responding, leaving Vaishali in an uncomfortable situation. The video of the moment triggered discussions online, with many expressing surprise and debating the role of cultural and religious practices in professional sports.
Despite the controversy, Vaishali won the match, adding another point to her score in the Challengers’ section. Yakubboev, who lost the game, is currently on three points after eight rounds, while Vaishali stands at four points with five rounds to go.
Yakubboev’s Response and Apology
Following the online backlash, Yakubboev issued a statement on social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), explaining his stance:
“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 emphasized that his actions were not meant to offend anyone and that he deeply respects Vaishali and her younger brother, GM R Praggnanandhaa, both of whom are top chess players from India.
“If I have offended her with my behavior, I apologize. I have some additional explanations: Chess is not haram. 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.”
Yakubboev further mentioned that he had informed Romanian GM Irina Bulmaga in advance about his religious beliefs before their eighth-round game to prevent any awkwardness. However, he regretted not being able to do the same before his match against Vaishali and Divya Deshmukh, which led to misunderstandings and discomfort.
“Today (Sunday) 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.”
Reactions from the Chess Community
The incident sparked mixed reactions from the global chess community. While some supported Yakubboev’s right to follow his religious beliefs, others argued that sportsmanship should take precedence over personal customs.
Several chess players and fans questioned whether declining a handshake—a standard gesture in professional chess—should be allowed in official tournaments. Others suggested that such cases should be addressed in advance to avoid awkward situations in future matches.
The Tata Steel Chess Tournament organizers and arbiters have yet to release an official statement regarding the matter.
Cultural and Religious Sensitivities in Chess
This is not the first time cultural and religious practices have influenced professional chess. In the past, players have raised concerns about dress codes, handshake customs, and religious observances affecting their tournament participation.
Some international federations, including FIDE (International Chess Federation), have adopted guidelines to ensure respect for diverse cultural practices while maintaining sportsmanship standards. The use of alternative greetings, such as a nod, a bow, or the traditional Indian “Namaste,” has been suggested as a way to balance personal beliefs with chess etiquette.
What’s Next?
With five rounds remaining in the tournament, both Vaishali and Yakubboev will look to focus on their games and move past the controversy. The incident has, however, sparked a broader discussion on the intersection of personal beliefs and professional sports.
As chess continues to grow globally, governing bodies like FIDE and national chess federations may need to consider clearer guidelines on handling cultural and religious sensitivities in tournaments.
What do you think? Should alternative greetings be officially recognized in chess tournaments, or should all players be required to follow standard sportsmanship customs?
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