A clip of the apology was shared by ChessBase India on social media, where Yakubboev can be heard apologising to Vaishali where both she and her brother Pragg can he heard repeatedly telling him that it was okay, and that they didn’t take any offence. Yakubboev still continues to apologise.

“I am sorry for what happened. It was an awkward situation for both of us. I was in a hurry that day. It is a misunderstanding, I am sorry. I want to wish good luck to you and your brother. I respect you and your brother and all Indian chess players. Thank you for understanding, goodbye and all the best,” he said in his apology where he is interrupted by Vaishali and Pragg a few times to tell him it’s not a big deal.

WATCH: Nodirbek Yakubboev apologises to Vaishali and Pragg

Uzbek GM Nodirbek Yakubboev met GM R. Vaishali and apologized to her. He did so by brining flowers and chocolate.

Full video: https://t.co/TEm7o4Bn3W pic.twitter.com/vnJV8NBdIj

— ChessBase India (@ChessbaseIndia) January 30, 2025

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“It’s clearly understandable. I didn’t take it that way. So you don’t have to feel bad. It’s totally fine,” Vaishali can he heard telling Yakubboev as he starts to apologise. She also tells Yakubboev that he had apologised to her that day as well. She advised him to “focus on the remaining games”.

What is the handshake controversy in chess?

Nodirbek Yakubboev refused to shake hands with Vaishali. (Screengrab)

In round 4 of the Tata Steel chess tournament at Wijk aan Zee, a clip had gone viral of the incident where the Uzbek grandmaster was seen refusing to shake hands with India’s Vaishali Rameshbabu. He later cited “religious reasons” on social media in a long explanation.

Vaishali had gone on to defeat the Uzbek player in that game.