Yes, but that chain was made three links longer for the photos, so has the chain sagging greatly more than with just a 2-link addition!

Look closely, you'll see that the chain cannot possibly be joined at the tested length, without some sort of gender-bending half-link.

Edit: Looking more closely, and at the inner and outer links along the chainring, I see you are right, that it was a two-link addition.

Have you had any luck skooching the axle either way? Right to the limit of where the rear derailer begins losing tension on the small-small combo...