Mar del Plata, Argentina, has a rich history of chess tournaments, including their international chess tournament and open tournament.
There was also a zonal tournament for women in Mar del Plata, in 1969, won by the Brazilian Ruth Cardoso.
In 1967 the first edition of the open tournament was organized.
The Mar del Plata Variation of the King's Indian Defence (1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3.
0–0 Nc6 8. d5 Ne7) is named after a game played in 1953 at the 16th international tournament between Miguel Najdorf and Svetozar Gligorić.