'It was 2 am. The captain of the American team knocked on the door [of Ivkov’s room, which was serving as the Yugoslav team headquarters]. Someone immediately knocked down the pieces on the boards where we we're looking at the adjourned games. The guest addressed Karaklajic, our captain. He suggested – well, in words suggested, but in tone, expressions, gestures, body language, he pleaded – Fischer will resign without resuming play, so could the other game, R. Byrne-B. Ivkov, be declared a draw without resumption?

Karaklajic said that he had to ask me, and by shaking my head and with the expression on my face I declined the offer. When our night visitor left, I explained. It's not only the sports aspect; I have a winning position when it's enough that both I and Gliga draw our games. I have three subjective reasons. First, at the previous Olympiad in Leipzig I lost a much better positions in time pressure to that same Byrne. Second, before the match they were so sure of themselves, they were even arrogant. And third, how can I damage Argentina, my second homeland, where I became a grandmaster when I was 22.

The next day, everything ended according to our expectations – and the American fears. In the golden sands near Varna, Yugoslavia again rose to the silver pinnacle of world chess, the Argentines overtook the Americans and claimed the bronze, and the silver team from Leipzig, the Fischer four, ended fourth without a medal'.