Mother won't take me to chess tournaments

Not to be juvenile with stupid questions, but I have a problem right now and I was wondering if anyone had any advice or tips or opinions. Basically, I'm a junior in high school right now (my school already started) and my rating is around 1840. My goal is to reach 2000 by the end of junior year (this June) - I know I'm capable of achieving that. The only problem is that my mother won't take me to chess tournaments and I'm not allowed to drive.

She used to be supportive of my interest in chess but now, she thinks I need to study and get into a good college instead of go to chess tournaments. This doesn't make sense because 1) I get good grades already while going to chess tournaments and 2) going to chess tournaments shows colleges my passion for chess and when I reach expert, I can put that on my college application. 

By chess tournaments, I don't mean 3 times a week all-day tournaments. I mean once in a while tournaments; maybe 2 a month (and those two would only be 1 day)? She literally will not drive me to any chess related events and I've tried talking with her but she won't listen. I don't have anybody else who can drive me and I can't drive myself but I REALLY want to reach expert by the end of junior year. How do I do this? 

Well how far away are the tournaments usually?

They're pretty local. They're usually about 30 minutes away. sometimes they're closer (but not close enough that I can walk) or farther. 

Running away from home is your best bet. Blackmail works also, though you'll have to do some detective work. Calling up the tournament director and asking him or her if there is possible car-pooling, or if someone could just pick you up. Public transportation. Walking.

I don't think it's the physical transporation that's difficult - I think it's just that my mom thinks I should study instead of going to chess tournaments. I feel like even if there was carpool available, it wouldn't make a difference - she still wouldn't let me. Also, it might be the environment too - she thinks most of the chessplayers there are losers (although they're not). I just feel like she doesn't understand and doesn't care how important chess is to me. Is there any way I could persuade her that it'll hurt me more than help me to not go to chess tournaments? 

That would probably work, but maybe you could explain your 2 reasons for wanting to do it, and maybe she'll understand.

I have explained it to her multiple times - she refuses to listen or understand. I don't know how I could persuade her more. I don't know what to do right now. 

Tell her you are over chess and are thinking of taking up Worlds of War Craft, Tell her the good part is she will never need to drive you anywhere.

You could show her some of those bs studies that show a correlation between playing chess and doing well in school.

Just saw this - even better.

Chess is just a game and can become an addiction. I lost a full year in school because of this, when I was in your age. Studies are more important for life, for most of us chess is just a nice hobby. Let it be like that and don't take it ever serious!

She probably wants you to do what she failed at to a point of obsession. The idea is that if she did better at that then she would be happier, but since she can't, she must do it by proxy by forcing you to do it and giving her a sense of accomplishing it. The only hope for you it to play your dad against her.

I wish I'd studied more chess and less national curriculum when I was at school :)

Neither are directly useful for the most part, but at least chess is fun.

 Sounds like your mum, well he does have a point. I wished I had spent a bit more time studying at school instead of anything but.

Maybe you could negotiatewith your mum that if your grades don't slip then you can participate in the occasional tournament and dedicate a bit of time to study chess.

That's a really really good idea knightmage! Although she'll probably yell and then give me the silent treatment at me for that. That's also a good idea, oinquarki. Thanks! 

Eventhorizon, I get what you mean but I get good grades. I study hard and I do my work and I'm not lazy. I can study AND play chess. And I do take chess seriously because it means something to me. I don't take it to the point where it eclipses my studies, but I have a feeling chess is going to be there for the rest of my life. 

Mrguy888, that's a smart idea except I don't really have a dad. I was thinking about getting my chess friend who's an adult to talk to her, but I'd have to contact him by email and I dont' know if I would just be bothering that chess friend and being some stupid annoying kid (and if my mom still says no, it'll just look really dumb). 

Not sure of the advice you've received so far here...

First, you need to think about what your mother's true reasons are. Have you been neglecting your studies? Have you grades been getting worse since you started playing chess? Are you spending a ton of time online playing chess and not doing anything else? 

If any of those are true, your mother may worry about you having a well balanced life.You need to address that by showing that you can have strong grades and play chess as well.

Is there a chess club at school or in a local town in which you can gain the same experience as attending tournaments? How about starting a chess club at school so you can gain this experience and have one more thing to add to your college application (showing true initiative). There may be a teacher at your school who is a good chess player who can be an advisor.

An 1850 rating seems to me really good (compared to my rating at least) and shows you have some talent and focus on getting better. I think most people who play chess casually have no hope of ever reaching that rating. You should let your mother know this as it is truly something you can list on a college application.

How about making a deal with your mother? You'll improve your grades for the next marking period (or help around the house, or tutor your siblings) and in return she'll drive you to a tournament.

Playing chess is a much better pasttime than some things a high school student could be doing.

take a bus/train

transport is not a problem mate, is his mother.

You bring up a really good point, mikebenjamin. I think there might be a "true" secret reason my mom doesn't want me to go to chess tournaments although I have no idea what it would be. I have not been neglecting my studies and chess makes me happy which then makes me love the other aspects of my life (including school) and yes I've told her that too. I have started a chess club at my school and I'm currently president; the teacher advisor isn't big on chess and nobody at my school is either. There's no local town tournaments. 

I tried to tell her I'd do anything (or almost anything) to compensate for her taking me to chess tournaments (like chores, etc.) but she refuses to even think about the idea. I feel like the only option would be to rebel maybe? 

Thanks for all the responses and support, everyone. Even if this whole dilemma doesn't work out, your guys' words make me feel a lot better. 

You can't expect parents to be intelligent. Try to tell her, very slowly, that colleges look for extra cirriculars as much as they look for grades.