A Russian column under Strik's command begins its passage through the narrow canyons on the night of November 10–11, intent on arriving at Dürenstein by noon; two more columns, under Dokhtorov and Schmitt, move in wider semicircles, planning to pass through the mountains and attack the French, who are extended along the river bank.

According to the plan, in late morning Strik's column wil emerge from the mountains first and launch a flanking assault on the French right.

This flanking attack, combined with Miloradovich's frontal assault from Stein, will force the French into a vise; encircled, they will have no option but to surrender—or die.

To ensure the success of the plan, the second and third columns, under Dokhtorov and Schmitt, will arrive in early and mid-afternoon and support the earlier assaults.

In this way, even if the French try to retreat west to Marbach, they will not escape the vise-like grip of the Coalition army.