It's very impolite to touch the other side's pieces.
So, Cronus put himself as the queen piece on his side, and Cali as the queen piece on Max's side. That says he thinks he and his daughter are the most potent pieces on the board. Could also be because Xierdra is the one in charge of the family business on his side, and on the other side all their pieces will rally around Max even if Max isn't as potent as Cricket nor Vanitas.
Does Cronus yet know Max lost all his experience points in magic-user and got knocked down to level one fighter? and: I don't see Min on that board. Methinks he's working with old information.