The steady state of mathematical research is to be completely stuck. It is a process that Charles Fefferman of Princeton, himself a onetime math prodigy turned Fields medalist, likens to ''playing chess with the devil.'' The rules of the devil's game are special, though: The devil is vastly superior at chess, but, Fefferman explained, you may take back as many moves as you like, and the devil may not. You play a first game, and, of course, ''he crushes you.'' So you take back moves and try something different, and he crushes you again, ''in much the same way.'' If you are sufficiently wily, you will eventually discover a move that forces the devil to shift strategy; you still lose, but -- aha! -- you have your first clue.
Gareth Cook, The Singular Mind of Terry Tao, New York Times