Sorry, most people here on BF are familiar with bike shorthand.

Yes, chainrings are the crank mounted sprockets, and the bottom bracket refers to the bearings the entire crank assembly turns on.

What I'm theorizing is that a you press the right pedal, the assembly is flexing so the bottom moves inward, and the top outward. So, what I suggest is that you look down through the front derailleur to watch whether the chain appears to be moving sideways with the FD cage as the frame of reference.

If you're uncomfortable looking down this way while riding, put the bike against a wall in a corner with the front wheel resting on the other wall. Get on the bike and hold yourself up by leaning on the wall as you press he right pedal trying to ride though the other wall (which hopefully doesn't collapse under the strain).