NEW DELHI: A heartwarming moment stole the spotlight at the Tata Steel Chess India Festival 2024 in Kolkata when India’s Bristy Mukherjee touched Magnus Carlsen’s feet before receiving her trophy.
Mukherjee, who triumphed in the All India Women Rapid event with a flawless 7/7 score, approached the podium to collect her award.
Before taking the trophy, she first paid her respects to Indian chess icon Viswanathan Anand and then extended the traditional Indian gesture of touching feet to Carlsen.
The Norwegian Grandmaster, initially taken by surprise, responded with a wide smile, embodying his surprise and appreciation for the significance of the act. Going by his reaction, perhaps Magnus had no idea what the gesture would’ve meant.
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Mukherjee, the gesture symbolized deep respect for both her mentors and a global chess legend who has inspired countless players worldwide.
For Carlsen, it was a memorable and perhaps unexpected introduction to an Indian custom, where touching someone’s feet shows great respect for the person.
Carlsen, fresh off his double title win at the tournament, has further cemented his legacy as a chess powerhouse.
The 33-year-old clinched both the rapid and blitz titles with dominant performances, including a dramatic penultimate-round victory over Indian prodigy Arjun Erigaisi.
He finished the blitz event with 13 points, replicating his double-title triumph in Kolkata from 2019.
Filipino-American Grandmaster Wesley So secured second place in the blitz with a phenomenal comeback, while Erigaisi took third.
The women’s section was equally compelling, with Russia’s Kateryna Lagno emerging victorious, narrowly edging out Valentina Gunina. India’s Vantika Agrawal also shone, tying for third.