Indian Female Chess Player Bristy Mukherjee Touches Magnus Carlsen’s Feet in Heartwarming Moment at Tata Steel Chess India Festival

The Tata Steel Chess India Festival 2024 in Kolkata witnessed a heartwarming moment that left Norwegian Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen surprised and touched. Indian female chess player Bristy Mukherjee, who secured a flawless victory in the All India Women Rapid event, approached the podium to collect her trophy. Before receiving the award, she first paid her respects to Indian chess icon Viswanathan Anand and then surprised Carlsen by touching his feet, a traditional Indian gesture of showing deep respect.

Carlsen, initially taken aback, responded with a wide smile, showing his appreciation for the significance of the act. The gesture symbolized Mukherjee’s respect for her mentors and a global chess legend like Carlsen, who has inspired countless players worldwide. For Carlsen, it was a memorable introduction to an Indian custom that he may not have been familiar with.

Despite the surprise moment, Carlsen continued to prove his dominance in the chess world by clinching both the rapid and blitz titles at the tournament. His impressive performances solidified his status as the best player in the world, further cementing his legacy as a chess powerhouse. The tournament also saw other notable performances, with Filipino-American Grandmaster Wesley So securing second place in the blitz event and Indian prodigy Arjun Erigaisi finishing third.

In the women’s section, Russia’s Kateryna Lagno emerged victorious, narrowly beating out Valentina Gunina. Indian player Vantika Agrawal also showcased her skills by tying for third place. Overall, the Tata Steel Chess India Festival was filled with exciting moments and impressive performances, with Mukherjee’s touching gesture towards Carlsen adding a heartwarming touch to the event.