Nodirbek Yakubboev avoids recent handshake controversy with this gesture in the direction of India’s Divya Deshmukh

Uzbekistan Grandmaster Nodirbek Yakubboev seems to have discovered from previous errors, as he averted controversy by greeting India’s Divya Deshmukh with a ‘Namaste’ earlier than their third-round Challengers match on the Prague Chess Competition 2025.

Nodirbek Yakubboev was within the eye of the storm earlier this yr in January when he determined to
decline a handshake with Indian Grandmaster R Vasiahli through the Challengers match of the Tata Metal Chess 2025 in Wijk Aan Zee, the Netherlands.

Explaining his resolution, Nodirbek Yakubboev had stated on the social media platform X that he refused to shake palms with Vaishali on account of non secular causes. “Pricey chess mates, I wish to clarify the state of affairs that occurred within the sport with Vaishali. With all due respect to girls and Indian chess gamers, I wish to inform everybody that I don’t contact different girls for non secular causes,” he wrote whereas tagging ChessBase India and Uzbekistan Chess.

Nonetheless, his clarification was not effectively taken by many legends and specialists,
together with chess nice Susan Polgar.

Nodirbek Yakubboev greets Diva Deshmukh with “Namaste’

On the chess match within the Czech Republic, Nodirbek Yakubboev determined to not take any threat as he was seen greeting Divya Deshmukh with a ‘Namaste’ in the beginning of their third-round match. The video of the incident has been shared on social media by ChessBase India.

“That second when Nodirbek Yakubboev greeted Divya Deshmukh with a conventional “Namaste” earlier than the beginning of their third spherical sport at @PragueChess Competition Challengers 2025! #praguechessfestival,” the chess information portal wrote on X.

That second when Nodirbek Yakubboev greeted Divya Deshmukh with a conventional “Namaste” earlier than the beginning of their third spherical sport at @PragueChess Competition Challengers 2025! #praguechessfestival pic.twitter.com/07zSR0ymh6

— ChessBase India (@ChessbaseIndia) March 1, 2025

It needs to be famous that Nodirbek Yakubboev was fast to apologise to Vaishali throughout Tata Metal Chess 2025 as he provided her an apology throughout a private assembly and in addition offered her with goodies and flowers.

Reacting to the controversy, Vaishali not too long ago stated that Nodirbek Yakubboev is a “good individual,” and
she didn’t thoughts him not shaking palms together with her.

“The handshake is a part of the sport, however I additionally respect his views and selections. I do know him, it’s not like he’s a brand new individual within the chess world. I’ve recognized him for a few years and have spoken to him. He’s a really good individual. So this refusal of handshake, it didn’t happen to me that he’s disrespecting me or one thing. It didn’t even happen to me. I assumed perhaps he was sick or one thing. As a result of in COVID, we had no handshakes. I assumed perhaps there was some motive,” Vaishali stated.