Mar 03, 2025 10:56 AM IST
Nodirbek Yakubboev courted controversy on the Tata Masters when he snubbed the customary handshake from Indian GM Vaishali Rameshbabu.
Uzbek GM Nodirbek Yakubboev averted controversy on the Prague Chess Competition 2025, by greeting Indian opponent Divya Deshmukh with a ‘Namaste’ gesture. In contrast to the Tata Masters, Nodirbek determined to not take any danger this time, initially of this third-round match with Divya.
Nodirbek Yakubboev exchanges a ‘Namaste’ gesture with Indian GM Divya Deshmukh.(Twitter (ChessBase India)) Here’s a video of Nodirbek’s gesture to Divya:
Nodirbek courted controversy in Wijk aan Zee in his Spherical 4 recreation in opposition to Vaishali Rameshbabu, within the Challengers’ Part. He was late for his recreation after which on turning up, ignored and snubbed the customary handshake, supplied by her. However she had the final snigger and defeated him in a recreation the place he tactically overpowered her opponent, who forgot to take care of his weakened king.
After his defeat, he ignored her once more and left in an ungainly method. After the incident, he fell sufferer to harsh criticism on social media, with many followers and chess GMs lashing out at him. Many additionally accused him of displaying alleged racist and sexist behaviour.
“2) I respect Vaishali and her brother as the strongest chess players in India. If I have offended her with my behavior, I apologize. I have some additional explanations: 1. Chess is not haram.
“3) 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.
“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.
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