Tata Steel Chess: Uzbek Chess Player Nodirbek Apologises To R Vaishali, Gifts Her Chocolates, Flowers - Watch

After refusing to shake hands with Indian GM R Vaishali at the Tata Steel Chess, Uzbek chess Grandmaster Nodirbek Yakubboev met the Indian chess player and apologized for his actions, on Thursday at Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands. (More Sports News)

Nodirbek brought flowers and chocolates for Vaishali as he apologized for his actions that caused a huge stir across the sporting world. The Uzbek player stated the refusal of his handshake was down to a 'misunderstanding'.

What Happened:

Nodirbek, who is ranked 67 in the world and has a current Elo rating of 2659, refused to shake hands with R Vaishali at the start of the 4th round in the ongoing Tata Steel Challengers competition on January 21.

As a result of this, the Uzbekistan chess player's action came under immense scrutiny after the video of them went viral on social media.

Social media users accused Nodirbek of disrespecting Vaishali even as the former took to X to post a apology, which has since been deleted. In his apology note, the 23-year-old wrote that he refused to shake hands with the Indian player on 'religious grounds'.

바카라�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,바카라� Nodirbek wrote.

The apology though did not help as chess icon Susan Polgar came down heavily on Nodirbek as she pointed out that the 23-year-old had refused to shake hands with India's Divya Deshmukh in 2023.

She also added that he should have informed his female opponents in advance about not wanting to shake hands and having to do so, should be open for 'criticism'.

Nodirbek Hands Flowers, Chocolates To Vaishali

Nodirbek has now tried to play the peacemaker by meeting Vaishali, her brother R Praggnanandhaa, and their mother as the 23-year-old apologised in person.

바카라�I바카라�m sorry for what had happened? It was an awkward situation for both of us. I was hurrying that day. It looks like some misunderstanding,바카라� Nodirbek said in a video shared by ChessBase India. 바카라�And I want to wish good luck for the remaining games for both of you. Just want to say. I respect you and your brother both. Both of you, and all the Indian chess players.바카라�

Vaishali accepted the apology and added that she is 바카라�totally fine바카라� as Nodirbek has realised his mistake.

바카라�No, it바카라�s clearly understandable. I didn바카라�t take it that way, so we didn바카라�t have to feel bad. You actually apologised. It바카라�s totally fine. You don바카라�t have to worry about it,바카라� Vaishali said.

Speaking on the tournament, Nodirbek sits ninth in the Tata Steel Chess 2025 Challengers Standings with 5/10 points, whereas Vaishali is 10 with same number of points.