With flowers and chocolate, Uzbek GM Yakubboev says sorry to Vaishali for handshake furore
Wijk Aan Zee (The Netherlands), Jan 31 (PTI): Uzbek Grandmaster Nodirbek Yakubboev offered flowers, chocolate and a personal apology to Indian GM R Vaishali after causing quite a stir by refusing to shake hands with her before their game in the Tata Steel Chess Tournament here, citing "religious reasons".
Yakubboev met Vaishali, who was accompanied by her younger brother GM R Praggnanandhaa and mother Nagalakshmi, on the sidelines of the ongoing event. The 23-year-old reiterated that he regrets the "awkward situation" that arose because of his actions.
"I am sorry (about) what happened," Yakubboev told Vaishali in a video that was shared online by 'ChessBase India'.
Vaishali accepted his apology and assured him that she did not want him to feel bad about what transpired.
"It's clearly understandable. I didn't take it that way, you don't have to feel bad," she responded.
Nonetheless, Yakubboev made it clear that he meant no disrespect.
"...it was an awkward situation for both of us. I was in a hurry that day and really forgot. I want to wish good luck to both of you," he said.
"You actually apologised, I clearly remember. You said sorry," Vaishali said.
In a video that went viral on social media earlier this week, Vaishali could be seen extending her hand before the start of a fourth-round contest against Yakubboev, who sat down without responding to it.
Yakubboev, who became a GM in 2019, lost that match in the Challengers' section of the tournament, which is in its 87th edition.
Yakubboev, a practising Muslim, posted a lengthy response on 'X' saying, he had all the respect for Vaishali and Praggnanandhaa but he "does not touch other women due to religious reasons."
However, that claim was ridiculed when an old video of him shaking hands with another Indian player Divya Deshmukh cropped up online.
The Uzbek, while responding to it, stated that the exchange with Deshmukh was also wrong in his belief.
He drew criticism for his statements and after his personal apology to Vaishali, he also met Deshmukh with flowers and chocolate to express regret. A picture of that meeting was also shared by 'ChessBase India'.
Yakubboev also had a brief conversation with Praggnanandhaa during his meeting with Vaishali, reiterating that he has immense respect for him too.
All three players wished each other the best for their upcoming rounds in the event before Yakubboev folded his hands in a 'Namaste' to say goodbye.
Uzbek GM Nodirbek Yakubboev did not shake hands with Vaishali before the start of 4th round at the Tata Steel Challengers 2025. This act of not shaking hands led to huge outcry on social media where people were not happy with the way in which Yakubboev had dealt with the… pic.twitter.com/R35SHGVZM5
— ChessBase India (@ChessbaseIndia) January 30, 2025
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Firms being arm-twisted to divert investment from Karnataka: Priyank Kharge
New Delhi (PTI): Companies are being arm-twisted to divert their investments from Karnataka despite the state having the best talent ecosystem, state's IT, biotech and rural development minister Priyank Kharge said on Friday.
The minister said it has taken 40 years to develop the entire ecosystem in the state that suits investors.
"Why is semiconductor going to Gujarat, Assam? That's my question? That's what I have been asking. Why is it going to Gujarat? Why is it going to Assam? When PLI comes, they have to choose their state. The name is Karnataka. How does it become Gujarat by the time the application reaches Delhi? They are coming to my state. Why are they being arm-twisted to Gujarat?" Kharge said.
He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a roadshow in the national capital for the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2026 to be held in November.
"They are coming to our state only. They want to invest in our state. It works out for them. It is profitable for them. Our human resource is one of the most agile and best in the world. But yet, they are going to be pushed to Gujarat," Kharge said.
During the event, Kharge said Karnataka is planning to rejig policy on data centres to promote sustainable data centres.
"There is a serious need for states and the central government to bring up policies for sustainable data centres. That's exactly what the government of Karnataka intends to do," Kharge said.
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