Paired Russian attacks disrupt Ottoman command

The Ottoman ships approach in a straight line heading north, while Senyavin arranges the Russian battleships in parallel rows led by admirals. He has identified the Ottoman fleet's dependence on its commanders and signals, so Russian pairs concentrate on the ships carrying those officers. The Ottomans recognize a similar vulnerability and focus their fire on the Russian lead ship. That vessel has to fall back but remains in action, denying them an immediate command-breaking success. Russian pairs then work against individual ships along the Ottoman line, making command disruption rather than simple gun-count superiority the tactical center of the engagement.