GG Tursunov

Bekzod Tursunov sells spices from a stall his family has held in Bukhara's covered bazaar since his grandfather's day, saffron under lock, cumin by the sack, opinions given away free. He sizes up a customer and a price in seconds and plays backgammon at exactly that speed, joining the tea-corner chouette where the day's business gets settled and the games run just as hot. Before the dice are even out he is already inviting the other player home to Bukhara, describing the bazaar, the tea, the guest room, whether asked to or not. Brash, hot-blooded and restless, he chases the action and gambles the cube like it costs him nothing, thrilling when hot and fragile when cold, always one more game between the sales.