The annual Maspalomas Costa Canaria team tournament was created thanks to generous patronage of Spanish aristocrat, Don Alejandro del Castillo, Count de la Vega Grande. Growing number of interesting chess tournaments in the Canary Islands resulted in an idea of creating the international team tournament; the first edition hosted Portuguese champions Lisboa together with three local teams. Editions 1973 & 1974 saw four European teams, including super strong West German team from Solingen (Pachman, O`Kelly, Hübner), who, however, failed to win in 1973 losing to team Amsterdam. The tournament was discontinued after 1974 but there was big Swiss tournament organized.
