I think the best bet for a war over Czechoslovakia might be a slightly different Munich conference. Molotov shows up, say, (whether invited or not
), and while the Soviets can't get the return of Sudetenland to be nixed, they DO get a much longer timetable for it, allowing a more orderly removal of factories (or at least machinery), rebuilding new defensive lines, etc.
France and Britain, while worrying about Hitler, agree that a staged and orderly withdrawal makes a lot of sense, and agree.
Hitler (whether he signs the document or not), gets frustrated (he didn't expect the West to cave, IOTL, and was prepared for war), and goes to war immediately. With Czech defences largely intact, and Czech morale being buoyed by Russian support, the German invasion goes much, much more poorly than Hitler assumed it would. Meanwhile, the Soviets make arrangements to move men and equipment into Czechoslovakia (given how paranoid Poland and Romania are, the men and equipment probably have to be shipped separately, and some of the equipment 'falls off the back of the truck' as it were).
With Hitler being aggressive, and unreasonable (clearly his negotiation was in bad faith), France and Britain realize they have no choice but to declare war. With most of the first class troops busy in Czechoslovakia, the French are able to make some advances into Germany proper.
Germany loses, Hitler is deposed, the Nazis are discredited. The war is over by '41 (say).
France and Britain, while worrying about Hitler, agree that a staged and orderly withdrawal makes a lot of sense, and agree.
Hitler (whether he signs the document or not), gets frustrated (he didn't expect the West to cave, IOTL, and was prepared for war), and goes to war immediately. With Czech defences largely intact, and Czech morale being buoyed by Russian support, the German invasion goes much, much more poorly than Hitler assumed it would. Meanwhile, the Soviets make arrangements to move men and equipment into Czechoslovakia (given how paranoid Poland and Romania are, the men and equipment probably have to be shipped separately, and some of the equipment 'falls off the back of the truck' as it were).
With Hitler being aggressive, and unreasonable (clearly his negotiation was in bad faith), France and Britain realize they have no choice but to declare war. With most of the first class troops busy in Czechoslovakia, the French are able to make some advances into Germany proper.
Germany loses, Hitler is deposed, the Nazis are discredited. The war is over by '41 (say).