My Sad Regress & Surprising Progress

I had my all-time worst results at the 4th Annual Smokey Mountain event in early February 2019, which brought my classical rating down to below 1300.  After that I played once in Nashville and again at the 2019 Murfreesboro Open, but still only achieved minus scores in both.  Admittedly, my studies have fallen short toward the goals I set for gaining progress.  That said, I just had the best tournament of my life in Owensboro, KY for their June 2019 Open Tournament! 

After losing in Round 1 to a 1700 player, I went onto beat a 900 player and two 1500 players; and all by checkmate!  To celebrate the victories I have created a Lichess Study of my Most Memorable Tournament Wins.  It is very sparse, because so few have stood out.  I also hope to compile similar studies in the future for my best casual games, online games, correspondence, etc.  

This first position is from my game as Black against Joel Watlington at the 2019 Murfreesboro Open.  He was dominating the board as you can see!  White just played 21.Bg4, and although I would lose the game, I found a glimmer of light in the darkness with a move that brought some dynamism back into the position.  Can you guess my move?  

Black to Move

Watlington, Joel (1798) vs. Thiemann, Norbert (1300)

Murfreesboro, TN 05/25/19

Moore, Zachary (1544) vs. Thiemann, Norbert (1294)

Owensboro, KY 06/15/19 - Final Position