$200 to spend

https://thechessstore.com/wood-chess-sets-w-boards/

https://thechessstore.com/staunton-wood-chess-pieces/

https://thechessstore.com/chess-sets-w-walnut-maple-chess-board/

https://thechessstore.com/new-exclusive-staunton-chess-set-in-ebonized-boxwood-with-walnut-chess-board-3-5-king/

https://thechessstore.com/new-exclusive-staunton-chess-set-in-ebonized-boxwood-4-king/

https://thechessstore.com/fierce-knight-staunton-chess-set-ebonized-boxwood-pieces-4-king/

https://thechessstore.com/new-exclusive-staunton-chess-pieces/

https://thechessstore.com/fierce-knight-staunton-chess-pieces/

These are some good sets in your price range.  I have the set with the "Exclusive Staunton" pieces, "ebonized" boxwood, 3.5' King, walnut & maple board.  The quality is very good.  I also have the "Fierce Knight" pieces.  Either set of pieces are nice looking (IMO) Staunton designs, displaying excellent workmanship.  

So the choice would simply come down to personal preference.  Just zoom in on the knights, bishops, King & Queen on the webpage to see the subtle differences.  For example, the ears on the Exclusive Staunton knights are swept back, whereas on the Fierce Knight Knights, the ears are erect, pointing "up" also with open mouth, baring teeth - in an apparently more "aggressive" pose.

Note also that "ebonized" is not the same as "ebony".  Ebonized (i.e., Black) pieces are boxwood pieces which have been stained black to look like ebony.  Nevertheless the staining is done very well, and the pieces look very nice, and look just about as good as real ebony, which is much more expensive.  To be able to discern "ebonized" pieces from "ebony" pieces, you would have to look very carefully, with the pieces side by side.

Be sure to check out and compare with HOS as well.  Along with The Chess Store, they also have very good quality sets which you can be proud of.

http://www.houseofstaunton.com/?utm_source=HOS&utm_campaign=dad6a03691-HOS_08_15_20168_15_2016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_95811ea3d7-dad6a03691-217700581&mc_cid=dad6a03691&mc_eid=31cfee45fb

For example, HOS' wood pieces with 3.75 inch King....

http://www.houseofstaunton.com/chess-pieces/wooden-chess-pieces/king-height/3.75-inch-/-9-53-cm.html?src=feature

I think the following "Players Series" set from House of Staunton is also very nice looking.  The pieces are similar to The Chess Store's "Exclusive Staunton" and "Fierce Knight" pieces, but with a 3.75 inch King...$139 (pieces only)....several choices of wood (I prefer the "ebonized" boxwood - a classic look)....

http://www.houseofstaunton.com/the-players-series-chess-pieces-3-75-king.html

Another bit of advice.  The square size of the board should be at least 1/4 - 1/2 inch (0.25 - 0.50 in.) greater than the base diameter of the king. That is, ensure sufficient clearance of the square on either side of the base of the king.

So the recommended pieces ($139) and something similar to the following (walnut & maple) board with 2 inch squares, at $70, would put you right around your budget.

https://thechessstore.com/walnut-maple-standard-chess-board-2-squares/

Finally, be sure to compare the shipping costs!

Buy a nice board later and put your money into the pieces instead. IMHO  ChessBazaar offers good "bang for your buck".  Here's a 4.1" ebony Staunton for $200:

http://www.chessbazaar.com/reproduced-1925-1937-staunton-pattern-chess-pieces-in-ebony-box-wood-4-1-king.html

Stop wasting your money; get me a premium membership instead. 

From the House of Staunton is this setup:

http://www.houseofstaunton.com/the-leningrad-series-chess-pieces-4-0-king.html

Understand that you will need to get this on sale.  There is always a 10% discount available from the internet.  I would call them for a sale price.  I have always received one and I believe you will not be disappointed.

Of course if you go with a 3.75" King height, there are a lot more possibilities.  I would suggest this combination:

http://www.houseofstaunton.com/the-players-series-chess-set-3-75-king.html

I believe this Players Series set is one of the best values, if not the best value of a chess set anywhere.

So, if 3.75" King height is acceptable, then you have a lot more good choices for quality at a better price.

$200 is almost enough to get two months of gold membership for everyone in TrollU! And considering that some members are already buying their own membership, it could be more than enough!

OP, are you feeling generous?

Thanks for all the replys!

While I like to consider myself a generous fellow, it would appear that the HOS players set that eyechess suggested is on sale right now for $112!

on the other hand, the 4" fierce knight set from the chess store, with board is on sale as well for $179

looks like I have a difficult choce to make today, and am at a loss of extra funds to give away:)

 @Dizzoballs - You won't be disappointed no matter which set you choose. But think of this - if you go with the Players Series. 3.75" you then have about $80 to buy a nice board also.

http://www.houseofstaunton.com/

Yes, the HOS "Players Series", 3.75 inch King,  is a very nice set for the money. (and the 3.75 inch King is not much difference in appearance from the 4.0 in. King, IMO).

If you call HOS or click on the green sign-up pop-up in the lower left corner of the page that appears on their link above, you can easily receive a 10% discount on your first order, as the pop-up will explain.

But any of the sets being discussed are nice ones in your price range.

Also consider that 4.0 in. King may require a larger board - square size than the 3.75 in. King, which implies additional cost.  Be sure to compare the board sizes (and prices) for the various size pieces you are considering.  I suggest a square size of about 0.50 inch greater than the King base diameter (slightly smaller squares may work if you really want to save a few dollars).

After all this good advice (and worth every penny it cost you to get it!), let us know what you finally decide to do.

My friend, that board is beautiful.  And that is also a very good price for it.

Now you want to find a set with a King base diameter of roughly 1.4" - 1.6".

Here's one from The House of Staunton that would go very well with that board:

http://www.houseofstaunton.com/the-collector-series-luxury-chess-pieces-3-0-king.html

Looking at the color of the board I would get the regular Rosewood.

With Labor Day coming, I believe you will find some good sales around.

Of course there is also the set that a few of us just bought and received this past week from The Official Staunton Company:

https://www.officialstaunton.com/collections/staunton-chessmen/products/paul-morphy-ebonised-chessmen

I own this set in both the Sheesham and Ebonized.  With that board I would definitely get the Ebonized version.

This set is extremely nice and actually less expensive and just as nice, in my opinion, as the House of Staunton set I first linked. 

I see the sale code that Carl offered just a bit over a week ago no longer works.  You might want to message him to see if he still might offer you a discount.

Good luck.

I, also, have a purpleheart board.  I cannot find a single chess piece wood type that does not go well with it.  Plenty of contrast, even with Bud Rosewood (the closest to purpleheart in color) pieces.

Excellent purchase!  Hope you still have enough to get a nice set of chessmen to gallop across its surface!

I have these: https://www.amazon.com/House-Chess-Rosewood-Staunton-Weighted/dp/B00WKVN2UC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1471663555&sr=8-3&keywords=chess+pieces+rosewood

And they're perfect.

kryptogram wrote:

I have these: https://www.amazon.com/House-Chess-Rosewood-Staunton-Weighted/dp/B00WKVN2UC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1471663555&sr=8-3&keywords=chess+pieces+rosewood

And they're perfect.

The only problem with that set here is the square size is 2.0". Those pieces are too big for the board.