India, Jan. 29 -- Chess legend Susan Polgar has criticized Uzbek grandmaster Nodirbek Yakubboev for refusing to shake hands with India's Vaishali Rameshbabu at the ongoing Tata Steel Chess Tournament, citing "religious reasons." The incident, which occurred before their Round 4 match in Wijk aan Zee, has sparked debate, with Polgar questioning the inconsistency in Yakubboev's stance.

A video from the tournament shows Vaishali extending her hand for a handshake, only for Yakubboev to decline. Following the viral incident, Polgar pointed out Yakubboev's previous handshake with India's Divya Deshmukh in 2023, asking, "What's the difference?"

Taking to social media, Polgar stated that while she had "less of an issue with the religious excus...