Assuming Beria gets deep-sixed, I would think that lessens the chance of Zukohv,s involvement. Assuming there,s some sentiment for at least a decoupling from The Stalinst Style, I would think that delegitmizes Molotov and Kaganovich to an extent. That leaves Malenkov (a BTS sort) and my dark horse, Mikoyan (he of the 'could walk across Red Square during a rainstorm and not get wet' reputation). He too was a BTSer, but had roused Koba,s ire and so wasn't perhaps quite so tainted by the stench of Josif and so more palatable in any environment where deStalinization was getting any sort of purchase. Then again, would it if K. wasn't around?
Just saw the POD was K. buying it during the war. So the butterflies have more time to flap. Maybe then the Leningrad Circle doesn't,t get eradicated and Kutzenov (sp?) somehow survives to become a player? Or even that the particular,s of the endgame of the GPW are changed.