Yakubboev slammed for refusing handshake with GM Vaishali

Hungarian-American GM Susan Polgar criticized Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Yakubboev for refusing to shake hands with Indian GM R Vaishali at the 2025 Tata Steel Chess tournament, citing religious reasons. Polgar questioned his inconsistency with a past handshake and emphasised the need for players to inform officials or opponents about such decisions in advance.

​Hungarian-American GM Susan Polgar criticized Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Yakubboev for refusing to shake hands with Indian GM R Vaishali at the 2025 Tata Steel Chess tournament, citing religious reasons. Polgar questioned his inconsistency with a past handshake and emphasised the need for players to inform officials or opponents about such decisions in advance.