How can I play Chess again?

Sure but you're not staking your livelihood on chess, I hope...

It’s weird agreeing with @CoolOut, but he nailed this one.

I would add, your parents have your best interests at heart. They might seem overly harsh because they sense that you are neglecting things that are certain to be important in favor of things that may or may not prove beneficial.

There’s a young child about a year older than you who has a very good chance of making a career out of chess. He became a Grandmaster at the age of 12.

why is everyone telling a passionate 12-year-old to give up chess or move out? Lazlo Polgar proved by his daughters beyond a doubt that hard work is all that matters when it comes to chess. I have had this same problem, though I didn't get to finish the game. what worked for me was to ask if I could have a set time of day to play uninterrupted. if you have to settle for playing for an hour or two after dinner, that's better than nothing. also: I'm home schooled, so this wasn't an option for me, but if you can join a chess club at school, or have a teacher tutor you, then it becomes school instead of leisure. and that difference is the world. if none of this works, then playing with friends will likely be seen differently than playing online, and you can avoid slipping in skill. 

That's exactly what I was thinking. I think the kid should listen to his parents but if his dream is to become a chess player why should he be discouraged by a bunch of randoms on a forum. He should continue to pursue his dream. Maybe he can have a talk with his parents about his passion of chess and as long as he is doing good in school etc I don't see why a parent wouldn't be supportive

He's 12, what do you expect? For him to have everything figured out? Also how old are you? You're behaving like a child, if you're a grown man it's pathetic to be picking on some little kid. The kid is right, the way you're behaving does say a lot about you

Did he though? No other variables were involved?

Hard to know how to answer.
@nervesofbutter and @technical_knockout react fairly passionately, telling the kid his opinion (and social standing) is equivalent to a dog's... and as reactionary (and somewhat ridiculous) as that is, kids can benefit from a strict hierarchy.

OTOH the kid is probably just venting, and it would be useful for another 12 year old to comment something like "yeah, parents are dumb, chess is a lot of fun."

Ultimately it's something the kid has to work out with his parents... not as dog vs master, but simply parent to child... IOW there's really nothing for us to say here.

He did seek advice in the forums. Whatever the responses may be, whether he gets discouraged is up to him.

You feel he should continue to pursue his passion despite him not showing any particular affinity for the game (by his ratings) and not having a specially tailored nurturing environment like lazlo provided.  I'd advice him to try many different things to see where else his passions and talents may lie.  He's only 12 and not anyone and everyone is a prodigy.

Meh... maybe this is treating the kid too much like an adult but...

Parents aren't perfect. They typically want to help you as much as possible, but years later, they'll look back on some things they did and regret them. Parents are usually just doing the the best they can but they'll make some mistakes.

There are also times when they'll make very good decisions, and those decisions will upset you. And years later you'll look back and be thankful your parents did some of those things, because they were able to think ahead 5, 10, 20 years into the future when you weren't able to. Restricting your chess time sounds like a reasonable decision for a parent to make.

Whether their decision was good or bad, sneaking into the bathroom to break the rules isn't a good solution... but I guess you said you learned your lesson.

It's unlikely you're banned from chess forever  Just wait, you'll get to play again eventually.

dad sounds like a Weiner. Bide your time, and disown them when the time is right. 

"good intentions" is not enough.

Finally, the kind of quick and irreverent post a 12 year old can appreciate lol

What's there to take seriously. His dad is a joke.

Idk you can seriously think punishing a child for playing chess in a bathroom stall is in any shape or form reasonable. Dad sounds like a nutjob with some serious control issues

He wasn't punished for playing chess in the bathroom, that would be silly.

Was punished for breaking the rules they'd previously agreed on, which is reasonable.

Yes he should continue to pursue his passion, so what if he is low rated? Are you saying the only people allowed to continue their hobbies are prodigies? The kid has a hobby, he likes chess, it's a healthy activity why shouldn't he keep playing? I don't understand why you're bringing up prodigies into the discussion

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/how-can-i-play-chess-again?page=1#comment-69226633

He's considering it as his career and his life. Not just a hobby. I think that makes a huge difference, no?

you seriously endorse the following of retarded rules? he is 12 not a sheep. A rule like that is meant to be spat on.

Following rules merely because they are rules is EXACTLY what a control freak parent will want.

Have a feeling that a lot of people are just projecting their own issues rather than listening to what the op is actually saying. But maybe I'm missing something.

The OP already mentioned "my parents are very unreasonable" in the first sentence, and the punishment of a lifelong ban on a board game with no costs is beyond absurd.  You cant reason with that level of absurdity.

Like how can people here in good faith defend the father? seriously, not only was the punishment and the crime absurd, but the "rule" itself is also completely vague.  "son ,get off chess" in the context of a single game in a place does not translate to "never play chess again". Idk in what universe that makes any sense. Ok, maybe "you are grounded for a week" implies chess specifically and the OP didnt mention this, but the punishment for the crime, is so hilariously absurd, i cant take it seriously even then.

You can comply to these ridiculous rule if you think it will best serve your purpose. Or you can go behind their backs. Just weigh the pros and cons . If you are as serious about chess as you claim to be, you know what you need to do.

Yes and? He's 12, kids dream. I used to dream of being a pro athlete when I was a kid, obviously it never happened but I don't regret playing sports as a child. It gave me a hobby, it kept me in physical shape, I made a lot of friends etc. As I got older I realized my dreams of being a pro athlete were unrealistic and I moved on with life but I am glad I still played anyways. So why is chess any different?