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Chess: World Championship by H. Mather 15 Jul 1972, Sat Star-Phoenix (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada) Newspapers.com
To clarify Fischer's “reasons” let's hear what Fischer's lawyer, Paul Marshall, a US Chess Federation official and Robert J. Fischer had to say on the distractions:
“Under agreed rules of the match, [Fischer] had the right to object and to demand removal of the cameras if they disturbed him.” -Col. Edmund Edmondson, USCF
“instead of..video tape film that didn't make any noise they had guys with film cameras that were..all around..making a racket..and visually you could see them moving around.”- R.J. Fischer
Fischer made an official verbal protest against the disruptive camera men, which fell on deaf ears, as the Soviet was intent on using the disruptive cameras to throw the games, and cast points in the Soviet corner. Instead, Fischer boycotted the 2nd game, and well within his rights to do so.
“At 11:58 P.M., two minutes before the deadline Cramer, handed a formal written protest to Schmid.” - Paul Marshall.
The Soviet delegates (3 of 4 men on the tournament committee) of course chose to illegally disregard the rules, out of poor sportsmanship and awarded the point to Spassky.
In his letter, he [Fischer] asserted: “The bungling unknowns who claimed to be professional cameramen were clumsy, rude and deceitful. The only thing invisible, silent and out of sight was the fairness on the part of the organizers.
“I have never compromised on anything affecting playing conditions of the game itself, which is my art and my profession.
“It seemed to me that the organizers deliberately tried to upset and provoke me by the way they coddled and kowtowed to that camera crew.
“I am keen to play this match, and I hope game two will be scheduled for Sunday, July 16 at 5 in the afternoon.”
Fischer declared that when all the camera equipment had been removed “I will be at the chessboard.”
