Media365
NEW DELHI: After previously apologising to Indian Grandmaster R Vaishali for not shaking hands with her during their fourth-round match at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament, Uzbek Grandmaster Nodirbek Yakubboev met Vaishali again to further express his regret over the incident.
To make amends, Yakubboev brought flowers and chocolates, showing his sincere remorse for the incident and aiming to restore goodwill between the two chess champions.
“I’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. 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,” Yakubboev said to Vaishali and her brother R Praggnanandhaa in a video shared by ChessBase India.
“No, it’s clearly understandable. I didn’t take it that way, so we didn’t have to feel bad. You actually apologised. It’s totally fine. You don’t have to worry about it,” Vaishali wholeheartedly accepted Yakubboev’s apology.
Earlier, the Uzbek player clarified that his action was due to “religious reasons” and was not meant to disrespect Vaishali.
After the video went viral, Yakubboev posted a detailed response on ‘X,’ stating, “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 behavior, I apologise,” he added. “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.”
