In chess, the term "king and pawn" refers to a specific endgame scenario where only the king and one or more pawns remain on the board. This situation is crucial because it often determines the outcome of the game, as the king plays a vital role in supporting the pawn to promote it to a queen or another piece. The strategy in a king and pawn endgame involves careful positioning. The player with the pawn aims to advance it while using their king to protect it from the opponent's king. Conversely, the defending player must try to block the pawn and prevent its promotion, leading to a battle of wits and positioning.