I need a circuit diagram for a chess-timer or (game timer) that uses a 555 IC.

Basically it is a circuit where you can set the time, and if the
player going on that turn dosent press the reset the buzzer will beep
and a led will light up. If both players keep under the time-limit by
constantly resetting the buzzer or led will never go on.

Also need practical uses for the 555, technical information, how it
can be used in conjunction with other electronics.

Hi,

have a look at http://www.uoguelph.ca/~antoon/gadgets/555/555.html
that may give you some ideas

Cheers

Mick

Check out applications from 555 manufacturers -- there are lots of
them second sourcing from the original Signetics (if I remember
right).

But unless you are determined to employ a 555 for your chess
application, there are far better ways to make timing circuits. I
presume from the $120 that you want to market these. If this is so,
the 555 is totally unsuitable. Cheapest would be a micro but you?d
have to program. The other simple (dead trivial) way is to use 4000
series logic dividers, crystal controlled. The most expensive item
would be the case!

Problem with a 555 is that large timing periods require big
capacitors, which means electrolytic. Cheap, but they have very low
tolerance and drift dramatically with time and age so your timing
period will be imprecise. Plus they?re leaky, which also alters your
timing period. You will get -50 / +100 % timing accuracy from unit to
unit. Doubt that this would be what you want.

Best

As already mentioned, a 555 is a poor choice for a chess timer.

For learning how to use the 555 and digital electronics in general, an
excellent book is still the "TTL Cookbook" by Don Lancaster.

Here's an Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0672210355/103-8337406-2898244?v=glance

If you want to learn simple electronics and make a one-off Chess
timer, may I suggest:
    1) Get a simple kitchen Timer.  A Good Timex model runs about $4 at Walmart.

    2) It's a good beginner project to augment the beeper with the LED
that you mention and to replace the control buttons with ones more
suitable for a chess timer.   You could then augment the button(s) and
LED(s) functionality by adding simple logic circuits.  Again this is a
good beginner's exercise.

If you are looking to produce large numbers of timers, and you want a
complete schematic, there are low-cost firms, online, that will help
you with this.