Bishop endings refer to a specific type of endgame in the game of chess where one player has a bishop and the other has a king. In these situations, the player with the bishop aims to control key squares and restrict the movement of the opposing king. The bishop can be a powerful piece in coordinating with the king to create a winning position. However, a lone king cannot be checkmated by just a bishop. To achieve checkmate, the player with the bishop typically needs additional pieces, such as a queen or rook. Understanding bishop endings is crucial for players to maximize their chances of winning in endgame scenarios.