Using DeepSeek to develop a memory palace to cultivate the "I WANT TO PLAY" mentality.

Recently I took up chess again after twelve years away...

Listened to the Perpetual Chess Podcast with a Psychologist (chess playing) who has a fear of playing chess, he spoke about lots of possible fixes, but none really sounded to my ears to be of any use.  I then remembered years ago Kramnik assessing players, he assessed them by many criteria bit one criterion was "YOU MUST WANT TO PLAY."   And Kasparov was top of the heap at that time.

I have competed in memory competitions - so I know a bit about Memory Palaces and there amazing efficacy for getting messages through and for a laugh I asked DeepSeek the new AI kid on the block to help me come up with a memory palace for this brief description:

I asked:  "I need an eight room / location memory palace about developing the mental approach of 'wanting to play' in chess as this is one aspect of the game where I am very weak, and like many chess players I actually FEAR playing, fear the prospect of losing, the best players (unlike me) do not fear this, and Kramnik said that WANTING TO PLAY is the most important characteristic of the potential strong player"

DeepSeek did not disappoint:  here is what it (and not me) came up with:

Creating a memory palace to help you develop the mental approach of "wanting to play" in chess is a fantastic idea! A memory palace is a powerful tool for embedding ideas and emotions into your subconscious by associating them with vivid, spatial imagery. Below is an eight room memory palace designed to help you overcome your fear of playing and cultivate a genuine desire to play chess. Each room represents a key concept or mindset shift, and the imagery is designed to be memorable and emotionally resonant.

 Room 1: The Entrance Hall – Embracing the Joy of the Game
 Imagery: Picture a grand, welcoming hall filled with chessboards glowing with golden light. The boards are surrounded by laughing children and grandmasters like Magnus Carlsen and Judit Polgar, all playing with pure joy. The air is filled with the sound of chess clocks ticking rhythmically, like a heartbeat.
 Lesson: This room reminds you that chess is, at its core, a game meant to be enjoyed. Focus on the joy of moving pieces, solving puzzles, and creating beauty on the board.

 Room 2: The Library of Losses – Reframing Defeat
 Imagery: A cozy library with shelves filled with books titled "My Greatest Losses" by famous players like Kramnik, Kasparov, and Fischer. Each book glows faintly, and when you open one, you see holographic replays of their most painful defeats—but instead of sadness, the players smile and nod, as if thanking their opponents for the lessons.
 Lesson: Losses are not failures; they are lessons. Every defeat is a stepping stone to improvement. Embrace losses as opportunities to grow.

 Room 3: The Arena of Courage – Facing Fear
 Imagery: A Romanstyle arena where you stand in the center, holding a chess piece like a sword. The crowd roars, but instead of opponents, you face shadowy figures representing your fears—fear of losing, fear of blundering, fear of judgment. As you make each move, the shadows shrink and dissolve.
 Lesson: Courage is not the absence of fear but the willingness to act despite it. Every time you play, you are building mental resilience.

 Room 4: The Garden of Curiosity – Cultivating Wonder
 Imagery: A lush garden where each plant is a chess position or idea. Some plants are familiar, like openings you know well, while others are exotic and mysterious, like unfamiliar endgames or tactical patterns. Bees buzz around, pollinating the plants, symbolizing the crosspollination of ideas.
 Lesson: Approach chess with curiosity rather than fear. Every game is an opportunity to explore new ideas and discover something new.

 Room 5: The Workshop of Improvement – Loving the Process
 Imagery: A bustling workshop where chess pieces are being forged and polished. You see yourself at a workbench, analyzing your games, studying tactics, and practicing endgames. The tools are labeled "Patience," "Discipline," and "Focus." The workshop hums with the energy of progress.
 Lesson: Fall in love with the process of improvement, not just the results. The more you invest in your growth, the more you’ll want to play and test your skills.

 Room 6: The Hall of Champions – Aspiring to Greatness
 Imagery: A grand hall with statues of chess legends like Capablanca, Tal, and Kramnik. Each statue comes to life and shares a story of their greatest battles, emphasizing their love for the game and their willingness to take risks. Kramnik’s statue steps forward and says, "Wanting to play is the key."
 Lesson: Great players are not afraid to play because they see every game as a chance to express themselves and test their creativity. Aspire to their mindset.

 Room 7: The Mirror Room – Self Acceptance
 Imagery: A room filled with mirrors, but instead of reflecting your physical appearance, they show your chess self—your strengths, weaknesses, and potential. One mirror shows you as a beginner, another as a seasoned player, and a third as the grandmaster you could become. The mirrors glow with acceptance and encouragement.
 Lesson: Accept yourself as you are, but also believe in your potential. You don’t need to be perfect to enjoy the game or to improve.

 Room 8: The Infinite Chessboard – The Bigger Picture
 Imagery: A vast, endless chessboard stretching into the horizon. You stand on it, but instead of feeling small, you feel empowered. Each square represents a possibility, a move, a game yet to be played. The board is alive, shifting and changing, inviting you to explore.
 Lesson: Chess is infinite, and so is your potential. Every game is just one of many, and each move is a chance to create something unique. Play not to avoid losing, but to explore the infinite possibilities of the game.

 How to Use This Memory Palace
1. Visualize: Spend time each day mentally walking through the rooms, reinforcing the imagery and lessons.
2. Associate: Before playing a game, recall the Entrance Hall to remind yourself of the joy of chess, or the Arena of Courage to face your fears.
3. Reflect: After a game, visit the Library of Losses or the Workshop of Improvement to process your experience and focus on growth.
4. Repeat: The more you use this memory palace, the more deeply the mindset of "wanting to play" will become ingrained in your subconscious.

By regularly visiting this memory palace, you’ll gradually shift your mindset from fear to curiosity, from avoidance to enthusiasm. Remember, even the greatest players started somewhere—what sets them apart is their love for the game and their willingness to play, learn, and grow.