Dr. Otto Estenger, born August 8, 1931, was a Cuban-born educator, chess champion, and political refugee who made significant contributions to South Carolina's chess community in the early 1970s. A native of Santiago, Cuba, Estenger learned chess as a young boy from his father, who was inspired by the legendary Cuban World Chess Champion José Capablanca. He and his wife Vilma held Ph.D.s from the University of Havana, yet were forced to resign their positions from the University and flee to the United States in 1963. The Estenger family packed belongings that would fit into a single suitcase and sailed to Miami as political refugees, where they remained for seven months before securing Spanish teaching positions in Terre Haute, Indiana. There, Dr. Estenger received his M.S. from Indiana State College and then took a teaching position at East Carolina University. In 1966, Estenger joined the faculty at Lander College in Greenwood, South Carolina, where he taught Spanish.

Estenger began competitive chess in 1970, quickly establishing himself as a top player in South Carolina. His notable victories included the 1970 Spartanburg Castle Club Open, the 1971 Wade Hampton Open in Greenville, the 1971 Aiken Chess Festival, and the 1972 North Augusta Winter Open. He claimed the South Carolina State Championship in 1971, held at the Heritage Room of the Farmers & Merchants Bank in Aiken from October 29–31. The following year, he shared the State Champion title at the 1972 Championship, hosted at the North Augusta Recreation Center from November 10–12. Estenger also competed nationally, participating in the 1972 U.S. Chess Open, where he earned his master title from the U.S. Chess Federation.

Beyond chess, Estenger was recognized for his achievements as a Cuban émigré, receiving the Lincoln-Marti Award from the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare for outstanding contributions by Cubans living in the country. He was active in the Greenwood Music Club and remained a dedicated member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church after relocating to central Florida in 1978.

Estenger passed away on February 27, 1998 at the age of 66 and is buried at Osceola Memory Gardens in Kissimmee, Florida. His legacy endures as a scholar, champion, and ambassador for chess in South Carolina.