What is the function of a chess second?

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Seconds are used in the context of a one-on-one match at classical time controls. Main functions:

1. Research opponent

2. Prepare opening repertoire

3. Adjournment analysis (no longer relevant)

Do they get paid?

I've never heard money discussed but always assumed that they would be (perhaps a share of the purse or state sponsored {e.g. USSR}), because a second's duties will last months.

A chess second functions as a measurement of time in a chess game.

How would they eat otherwise?

Ben Finegold describes his function as Nakamura's second at the Tal Memorial.

http://www.stlbeacon.org/voices/blogs/on-chess/114396-finegold-mission-to-moscow

Maybe Nakamura provides the food.

Who was Kasparov's second? Imagine having access to his database of opening theory.

If the first player dies it's up to the second to finish their chess commitments.

Think again.

Timoshenko was one, and he was accused of tipping Karpov off as to Kaspy's opening prep in their drawn match.

Did I remember all that correctly? Was it from Waitzkin's Mortal Games?

The match that was aborted; or the one that ended tied 12-12?

12-12

Sounds like the chess version of Bagger Vance.

It was Vladimirov, not Timoshenko. It was the third match, won by Kasparov.

Another important duty of the second is to dispatch his/her first on any show of cowardice ... such as 1.d4.

Do any OTB clocks have a bonus time feature?

I think you can set the digital ones for something like that. If the player complete x number of moves, they each get x number of minutes added to their time.