Ilya Abramovich Kan, was a Russian / Soviet International Master of Chess.
Career
He played ten times in Soviet Championships. In the 1931 Moscow City Championship, he took 2nd, behind Nikolai Riumin. In the 1932 Moscow City Championship, he took 3rd, behind Nikolai Riumin and Duz-Hotimirsky.
In 1936, he tied for 1st-2nd with Vladimir Alatortsev in Moscow–church
In 1937, he took 2nd, behind Reuben Fine, in Moscow. He was awarded the IM title in 1950.
His opening theory contributions were mainly in the Sicilian Defence variation which bears his name: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6. The line is sometimes called the Paulsen Variation in the West, for German Master Wilfried Paulsen, who played it earlier in the 19th century.
He is named as the editor of the Shakhmatny Bulletin issue 6.