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Hikaru Nakamura discovered that competing in the Global Chess League (GCL) was more attractive than being part of American all-star Olympiad teams. The reason for this preference was that the GCL provided a more enjoyable and less competitive atmosphere. On the other hand, the Olympiads had become more focused on individual performance, which diminished the sense of camaraderie among the top players, making the experience less pleasant for Nakamura. He valued the GCL’s focus on fun and team spirit, which stood in stark contrast to the serious and solitary environment of the more recent Olympiads.
