India, Jan. 31 -- Vaishali Rameshbabu fell victim to controversy during the ongoing 2025 Tata Steel Chess Masters, in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands. The Indian grandmaster took on Nodirbek Yakubboev in Round 4 of the Challengers' Section, and it saw a huge scandal. The Uzbek GM was late for his game against Vaishali and also snubbed her customary pre-match handshake, with a disrespectful gesture. Vaishali was totally confused, but she had the last laugh as she defeated her opponent with ease.

Then after the game too, Nodirbek ignored Vaishali and departed. Chess fans were left stumped and then Nodirbek came up with an apology on X, where he blamed his actions on his religion Islam. But then fans also pointed out that he had shaken hands with...