From the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s, she was one of the leading Colombian women's chess players. She has two wins at the Colombian Women's Chess Championships (1976, 1982).[1]
Teresa Leyva played for Colombia in the Women's Chess Olympiads:[2]
- In 1976, at first board in the 7th Chess Olympiad (women) in Haifa (+1, =5, -2),
- In 1980, at second board in the 9th Chess Olympiad (women) in Valletta (+3, =3, -4),
- In 1982, at first reserve board in the 10th Chess Olympiad (women) in Lucerne (+5, =4, -0) and won individual gold medal.
Colombia