chessgames.com
Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players · Kibitzing

Joseph Bradford
J Bradford 
Photo courtesy of "WannaBe"  

Number of games in database: 212
Years covered: 1973 to 2019
Last FIDE rating: 2370 (2357 rapid, 2315 blitz)
Highest rating achieved in database: 2459
Overall record: +88 -59 =65 (56.8%)*
   * Overall winning percentage = (wins+draws/2) / total games in the database.

MOST PLAYED OPENINGS
With the White pieces:
 Reti System (23) 
    A04 A06 A05
 English (15) 
    A14 A13 A15 A12 A17
 King's Indian (15) 
    E97 E62 E69 E67 E68
 English, 1 c4 c5 (11) 
    A30 A39 A37 A35
 Queen's Pawn Game (9) 
    A41 A46 D02 E00 A40
 Queen's Indian (4) 
    E12 E15
With the Black pieces:
 French Defense (52) 
    C05 C18 C00 C02 C03
 French Tarrasch (22) 
    C05 C03
 French Winawer (16) 
    C18 C17 C19 C15
 Modern Benoni (12) 
    A57 A58 A59 A56
 Benko Gambit (11) 
    A57 A58 A59
 Queen's Indian (6) 
    E15 E12 E17
Repertoire Explorer

NOTABLE GAMES: [what is this?]
   E Formanek vs J Bradford, 1979 0-1
   J Bradford vs J Tarjan, 1978 1-0
   G Barrenechea Bahamonde vs J Bradford, 2007 0-1
   N Weinstein vs J Bradford, 1979 0-1
   J Bradford vs R Byrne, 1980 1-0
   D Gordon vs J Bradford, 2007 0-1

NOTABLE TOURNAMENTS: [what is this?]
   Dallas Pinfork op3 (1996)
   UTD GM Invitational (2006)
   United States Championship (1980)
   US Championship (2007)
   Foxwoods Open (2007)
   Isle of Man Masters (2007)
   American Open (1989)
   Canadian Open (2009)
   National Open (1993)
   Canadian Open (2007)
   Gibraltar Masters (2007)
   Lone Pine (1979)
   15th World Open (1987)
   Gibraltar Masters (2008)

GAME COLLECTIONS: [what is this?]
   US Open 1982, St. Paul, MN by ghost5

RECENT GAMES:
   🏆 National Open
   J Bradford vs A Neiksans (Jun-13-19) 0-1
   A Gustafsson vs J Bradford (Jun-12-19) 0-1
   Robson vs J Bradford (Jun-15-12) 1-0
   J Bradford vs V West (Jun-15-12) 1/2-1/2

Search Sacrifice Explorer for Joseph Bradford
Search Google for Joseph Bradford
FIDE player card for Joseph Bradford

JOSEPH BRADFORD
(born Nov-01-1950, 74 years old) United States of America

[what is this?]

Joseph Mark Bradford was born in Meridian, Mississippi, USA. He was awarded the IM title in 2007. Bradford won the 1978 U.S. Open Championship.

Last updated: 2017-01-17 04:42:37

Try our new games table.

 page 1 of 9; games 1-25 of 212  PGN Download
Game  ResultMoves YearEvent/LocaleOpening
1. J Bradford vs D Barnett  1-037197374th US OpenB74 Sicilian, Dragon, Classical
2. J White vs J Bradford  ½-½20197374th US OpenC78 Ruy Lopez
3. J Bradford vs Mendo  1-026197374th US OpenB28 Sicilian, O'Kelly Variation
4. J Bradford vs D Shapiro  1-031197374th US OpenC50 Giuoco Piano
5. R Rodriguez vs J Bradford  1-070197374th US OpenC89 Ruy Lopez, Marshall
6. J Bradford vs J Tarjan 1-031197879th US OpenB89 Sicilian
7. A Soltis vs J Bradford  ½-½19197879th US OpenC05 French, Tarrasch
8. V Kavnatsky vs J Bradford  1-02019797th World OpenE17 Queen's Indian
9. E Formanek vs J Bradford  0-1341979Lone Pine opC02 French, Advance
10. Lombardy vs J Bradford  1-0341979Lone PineE26 Nimzo-Indian, Samisch
11. J Bradford vs J Tarjan 0-1421979Lone PineE11 Bogo-Indian Defense
12. E Formanek vs J Bradford 0-1341979Lone PineC02 French, Advance
13. N Weinstein vs J Bradford 0-1361979Lone PineC05 French, Tarrasch
14. J Bradford vs D Rajkovic  ½-½371979Lone PineA04 Reti Opening
15. J Bradford vs S Matera  1-0641979Lone PineE69 King's Indian, Fianchetto, Classical Main line
16. G Sigurjonsson vs J Bradford  1-0461979Lone PineA04 Reti Opening
17. J Bradford vs Miles ½-½451979Lone PineA05 Reti Opening
18. H van Riemsdijk vs J Bradford  ½-½101979Lone PineE53 Nimzo-Indian, 4.e3
19. J Bradford vs J Ellis 1-027197980th US OpenA04 Reti Opening
20. J Bradford vs D Vasto  1-048197980th US OpenA04 Reti Opening
21. J Marfia vs J Bradford  0-135197980th US OpenC00 French Defense
22. J Bradford vs M Diesen  0-150197980th US OpenE69 King's Indian, Fianchetto, Classical Main line
23. Z Gajic vs J Bradford  1-058197980th US OpenC05 French, Tarrasch
24. J Bradford vs R Byrne 1-0341980United States ChampionshipA14 English
25. Browne vs J Bradford  1-0751980United States ChampionshipE11 Bogo-Indian Defense
 page 1 of 9; games 1-25 of 212  PGN Download
  REFINE SEARCH:   White wins (1-0) | Black wins (0-1) | Draws (1/2-1/2) | Bradford wins | Bradford loses  

Kibitzer's Corner
May-16-07  whiskeyrebel: Wow...fellow Texan Mr. Bradford drew Yury Shulman today. Decent start to the tournament. Go Joe...
May-17-07  whiskeyrebel: Wannabe, whoah Nelly; you need more light Brother. Did you snap it off in a bar?
May-17-07
Premium Chessgames Member
  WannaBe: American Open Tournament is well known for its 'mood' lighting... =)
May-17-07  Resignation Trap: When I was playing in the 1978 Michigan Open, I asked someone, "Who won the US Open?". The reply was "Joe Bradford". My astonished reply was <<WHO??>>. I believe that everyone else in the 1978 US Open was equally astonished.
May-17-07
Premium Chessgames Member
  Joshka: This guy has scalps from Browne and Christiansen, no one to mess with!
May-17-07  whiskeyrebel: He's very supportive of our Austin chess club and I know several members are following his games. I don't personally know him, but have seen him playing blitz with all comers ( pretty much annihilating everybody ) and even helping at post mortems..including one of my own losses in which he saw a brilliant Queen sac I hadn't considered at all. He's got my respect and support. I wouldn't be surprised no matter who he takes out at this event.
May-23-07  whiskeyrebel: Wow, he defeated Krush in the final round at the U.S championship leaving him with 5-4. Did he earn an IM norm I wonder? Congrats Mr. Bradford.
May-23-07  Resignation Trap: <whiskeyrebel> Joe gets his IM norm <and> title in Stillwater.
May-23-07
Premium Chessgames Member
  WannaBe: Congratulations to the new IM Bradford!!

Promise to capture him in better light(ing) next time! :-)

Sep-25-07  dx9293: FIDE did not award FM Bradford the IM title according to the new List of Titles Awarded. I do not know why. His rating and norms seem to be in order.
Oct-02-07  dx9293: FM Bradford sez: GIMME THE DAMN IM TITLE!

He scores 5.5/9 in the Monarch Assurance (beating Sevestushkin, and Hebden in Rd 9!) which, according to the FIDE charts, should give him an IM norm.

I dunno why FIDE didn't give him the IM title at Mexico City, they apparently declined his application for some reason, but he should get it now!

Oct-02-07  Petrosianic: From what I hear, the courteous and efficient staff at USCF Headquarters forgot to file the paperwork, and so the 1978 US Open Champion's IM title will be delayed several months.
Oct-03-07  dx9293: <Petrosianic> LOL! That doesn't surprise me at all!
Oct-04-07  whiteshark: There is a big gap from 1981 to 2006 with only 4 games in between. Why this break ?
Oct-13-07  dx9293: It seems that IM Bradford has made yet another (!) IM norm, this time at the 7th Winterthur Open, with 6/9.

GM Caruana started with 5.5 out of 6, but struggled to the finish with 6.5 out of 9.

Oct-13-07  Petrosianic: <Why this break ?>

Because the database isn't complete. Bradford has been an active player continuously since the 70's, though not always that active at the international level.

Oct-13-07  pawnofdoom: Few people are 57 when they get their IM title. Wonder if he can continue to improve at such a late age and become a grandmaster at age 70
Oct-13-07  Petrosianic: It's not a question of improvement. Bradford has been IM strength for years. It's just been a lack of norm opportunities. He plays mostly in large swisses and things.
Oct-13-07  dx9293: <GM> Bradford seems tough enough to be a GM...his rating is climbing and he's holding his own with the GMs right now...as long as he continues to play, I don't think it's impossible. Unlikely, but not impossible. I'd love to see it.
Oct-13-07  Petrosianic: To give you an idea of how tough Bradford has always been for years, he won the US Open outright in 1978, and finished only -2 in the 1980 US Championship (this back in the days when it was a Round Robin, rather than a Swiss).
Dec-13-08  wolfmaster: Not only is Bradford a great player, but he just won the Heisman trophy!
Oct-11-09
Premium Chessgames Member
  Phony Benoni: The 1978 US Open was not the strongest in the series, but Bradford's triumph included wins over Peters, Root and Tarjan, plus draws with Shamkovich and Soltis. But it was his style that impressed everyone. None of this accumulation of tiny advantages stuff; he went straight for the throat. The first game on this page is the victory over Tarjan; it's typical of his play.

Also, you might find E Formanek vs Bradford, 1979 enjoyable, where Black's attack concludes with 34...Kd8!

Jan-26-10  grok: In addition to his '78 US Open title, Bradford also has two National Open titles. In his prime he was probably GM strength, but he rarely played outside of Texas, which limited his norm opportunities. He's still the best player in Austin and a regular at the Austin Chess Club.
Jan-16-17  Helios727: Is it possible to get a FIDE rating without playing in international tournaments? Or how does that work? If it is possible, what are the criteria for an American tournament being FIDE rated?

NOTE: Create an account today to post replies and access other powerful features which are available only to registered users. Becoming a member is free, anonymous, and takes less than 1 minute! If you already have a username, then simply login login under your username now to join the discussion.

Please observe our posting guidelines:

  1. No obscene, racist, sexist, or profane language.
  2. No spamming, advertising, duplicate, or gibberish posts.
  3. No vitriolic or systematic personal attacks against other members.
  4. Nothing in violation of United States law.
  5. No cyberstalking or malicious posting of negative or private information (doxing/doxxing) of members.
  6. No trolling.
  7. The use of "sock puppet" accounts to circumvent disciplinary action taken by moderators, create a false impression of consensus or support, or stage conversations, is prohibited.
  8. Do not degrade Chessgames or any of it's staff/volunteers.

Please try to maintain a semblance of civility at all times.

Blow the Whistle

See something that violates our rules? Blow the whistle and inform a moderator.


NOTE: Please keep all discussion on-topic. This forum is for this specific player only. To discuss chess or this site in general, visit the Kibitzer's Café.

Messages posted by Chessgames members do not necessarily represent the views of Chessgames.com, its employees, or sponsors.
All moderator actions taken are ultimately at the sole discretion of the administration.

Spot an error? Please suggest your correction and help us eliminate database mistakes!
Home | About | Login | Logout | F.A.Q. | Profile | Preferences | Premium Membership | Kibitzer's Café | Biographer's Bistro | New Kibitzing | Chessforums | Tournament Index | Player Directory | Notable Games | World Chess Championships | Opening Explorer | Guess the Move | Game Collections | ChessBookie Game | Chessgames Challenge | Store | Privacy Notice | Contact Us

Copyright 2001-2025, Chessgames Services LLC