> in any perfect game black can only play to a draw

You’re making this up. Chess is not solved.

It’s also largely irrelevant to my point.

Nope, all the research with Stockfish et al is pointing to chess being a draw with perfect play.

That’s not what “prove” means and notably is not specific to black which was the more significant claim.

I think it is highly likely that perfect play results in a tie for both sides.

That's what a draw is my guy.

Yes I’m agreeing with you. But I’m saying it’s not proven and it’s not expected to be favoring either side as claimed.

Saying black can at best tie against perfect play is not the same thing as saying both players can at best tie when facing perfect play.

You can construct counterexamples too! For example, "on your turn, say a number. First player to say a number that is double a number the other player said, wins." Is a perfect (I think you mean perfect information) game.

He meant perfect play although he is not provably correct