$200 to spend

Yes.  The Padauk chess pieces are truly beautiful.  And expensive.  But the pleasure they bring is certainly worth the extra cost, to those of us who really appreciate nice chess sets.

https://thechessstore.com/fierce-knight-staunton-chess-set-in-african-padauk-boxwood-4-king/

Also the Padauk and Bird's Eye Maple board is very attractive...

https://thechessstore.com/padauk-birds-eye-maple-molded-edge-chess-boards/

Eyechess...

I agree with you that he should buy as nice a set as possible with whatever funds he has remaining after the board purchase.  I don't really have a "dog in the fight" as far as what set he should specifically purchase... I was only agreeing with another poster that the Chess Store "Fierce Knight" set is quite nice, since I own it and can positively recommend it.  Is it the best possible set for the money?  Probably not...

I personally have had VERY good luck buying from Chessbazaar, the last 8 or so sets I've purchased from them have been a fantastic deal for the price (which I almost always used a 30% off coupon to achieve...).  My latest HoS set (2.875" Zagreb, Padouk) has also proven to be a very nice set... though a bit too high priced in my opinion.

I guess what it comes down to is that the OP should read all these comments about various sets people recommend, look as closely as possible at the photos, and make a decision based on the square size of his board, all our input on various sets, and his aesthetic sensibilities.  There are so many great sets available, at such great prices (considering the labor involved to make them!).  This truly is a golden era for buyers of chess equipment!

Valuable and well articulated perspectives from both Bawker and Eyechess, in this discussion  It has been interesting to me, to be exposed to your opinions of the various sets.  Thank you.

It makes me a little uneasy to hear of a chess board that supposedly lists (or sells) for $1200 on the internet being offered for sale at $300.  Something doesn't smell right about that.  I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, Dizzoballs.....

Wise decision, Dizzo.

A nice heirloom quality set and you have something that you can pass onto your son when the time is right (provided he enjoys the game).

I hope it works out well for you, Dizzo.  From the eBay photos, it looks like a very nice board.  I just don't know which is more unrealistic - the $1200 retail number you mentioned, or the $300 price you paid for it....

Deals that appear to be too good to be true, more often than not, are...

But we are all rooting for you!  And are hoping for the best.

Yes, take your time to find the right set.

The House of Staunton site has an option to search for Chess Pieces by square size.  They have some very nice sets there that can also get quite pricey. 

The Official Staunton Company also carries some very nice sets.  I would keep track of the King base diameter instead of what they suggest.  I have found their square size suggestions to be a bit small for the sets.

Remember that the King base diameter range for a 2.0" square is roughly 1.32" - 1.6".

Chess Bazaar is a nice place by a number of posters here.

The Chess Store also has nice sets.  I have bought a couple from them.

Your Move Chess and Games, also known as ChessUSA (chessusa.com) also carries some nice sets.

The Chess House also carries some nice sets.

And there is a place called The Chess Piece that sells some high quality sets.

I don't mean to leave any company out, but the above are the main ones I have bought from in the past.

Good luck and when you get your stuff, let us know what you get and include some pictures, please.

Certainly all the opinions expressed on this thread should be given thoughtful consideration.  So I'll make my final pitch for Dizzoballs to think about.  Firstly, based on my experience (I too own several very nice chess sets), and research, I have found that for a 2.0 inch square board, a King base diameter between 1.4 in. - 1.6 in. works well, with the sweet spot being the mid point of 1.5 inches for King's base.  In this case, one could confidently conclude that an optimum ratio of King base diameter to square size of 1.5/2.0 = 0.75 would be a reasonable ballpark rule of thumb for calculating the relative sizes of boards and pieces which work well together.

Secondly, while all this precise calculating might seem like nit-picking and splitting hairs with the numbers, considering the cost of the nicer chess pieces and boards, it would behoove one to carefully gauge these numbers, otherwise it would be all too easy to end up with items that are either too large or too small to work, aesthetically and/or functionally, with their counterpart (pieces vis-a-vis boards), in either event resulting in the expenditure of more funds than necessary, or desired.

Finally, just in case you haven't yet checked out the Fierce Knight pieces from The Chess Store (I'm guessing you probably have), here is what they look like....(I'm showing the Padauk & boxwood set here because it is easy to perceive the excellent quality of the design, craftsmanship and finish). You can go to the website to view the other wood combinations offered...and where you can zoom in on the pieces even more...

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

I can't make these links work.  I can get to the website, but can't locate the photos...

Drueke and JLP Woodworking solid wood chess boards, for anyone who might be interested in checking them out...

Drueke chess boards are now sold on eBay by William Drueke III....the company was founded by his grandfather.  Grandson appears to be now a one-man operation, but claims to be maintaining the same product quality as the legendary boards of his grandfather...

http://stores.ebay.com/druekegames/

several sizes of boards are offered...

http://stores.ebay.com/Drueke-Games/Games-/_i.html?_fsub=3&_sid=119475863&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

for example, here a  Drueke 21 inch board, 2 in. squares....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chessboard-with-2-squares-and-fancy-profiled-edges-made-by-Drueke-Games-/162175471837?hash=item25c26950dd:g:~sYAAOSwoydWtJwK

It appears that JLP Woodworking boards are sold exclusively through Chesshouse....but I am not certain of this...

http://www.chesshouse.com/JLP_Woodworking_Hardwood_USA_Products_s/458.htm

Videos by chesshouse, showing off and comparing the Drueke and JLP Woodworking solid wood chess boards, as well as the JLP chess table....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pCwuj49qAs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0fJDDbM0MI

Finally, my other thread on JLP Woodworking vs Drueke chess boards...

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/jlp-woodworking-chess-boards

When will you receive it?

That's good news!  

Still don't understand however how a supposedly $1200 board sells for $300.....One of these numbers is out of line...I'm doubtful therefore about the $1200....does that make sense?