Watch: Uzbek GM chooses ‘Namaste’ over handshake before game

Uzbek GM Nodirbek Yakubboev greeted India’s Divya Deshmukh with a ‘Namaste’ before their match in Prague, showing respect and addressing past controversies. Yakubboev previously avoided a handshake with Indian GM R Vaishali for religious reasons, later apologizing. His gesture towards Deshmukh highlights efforts to bridge cultural differences, demonstrating mutual respect in the chess community.

​Uzbek GM Nodirbek Yakubboev greeted India’s Divya Deshmukh with a ‘Namaste’ before their match in Prague, showing respect and addressing past controversies. Yakubboev previously avoided a handshake with Indian GM R Vaishali for religious reasons, later apologizing. His gesture towards Deshmukh highlights efforts to bridge cultural differences, demonstrating mutual respect in the chess community.