He was the second child of Alfred Edward Chave, a fruit merchant from New South Wales, and his English-born wife Mabel (née Fursey).
He was educated at Wynnum Primary and Brisbane State High schools before joining the family fruit-business.
In 1933 he won South coast championships, playing "sparkling tennis" to beat Hugh Goodwin in the final.
In 1962, Chave was accused of breaking the rules when he spoke to Margaret Smith (Court) offering "courtside encouragement" during her Italian championships final with Maria Bueno.
After his first marriage ended in divorce, Chave married Patricia Mary Sutherland (née Johansson) on 24 September 1949.