Auckland Chess Centre & Ors v New Zealand Chess Federation (ST04/26)

Sports-related dispute referred by agreement – Chess – challenge to disciplinary sanctions imposed by New Zealand Chess Federation (NZCF) – email sent by club official to another club president seeking support for AGM voting positions and threatening exclusion from club activities if support not given – NZCF Council imposed tournament bans on individuals and recommended club expulsion – interpretation of disciplinary powers under NZCF Tournament Regulations – whether regulation permitting bans for conduct “offensive, dishonourable or detrimental to the interests, welfare or standing of chess” extended beyond tournament play – Tribunal found Tournament Regulations concerned with the conduct of players in tournaments and rated chess activities only – governance and AGM-related conduct fell outside the proper scope of the regulations – NZCF acted outside its powers in imposing the bans – bans set aside – Tribunal further observed that natural justice ordinarily requires an opportunity to be heard on sanction as well as liability – observations made regarding the absence of a comprehensive disciplinary framework within NZCF’s governing documents and the potential adoption of FIDE’s Ethics and Disciplinary Code.