Politburo
Let us have a look at OTL Politburo members 1944-1953.
Andreyev - member 1932- Oct 1952. In OTL October 1952, removed by Stalin for being completely deaf, kept on as vicepremier till after removal of Beria. In 1944, Chairman of the Soviet of the Union from founding in 1938 till February 1946.
Beria - Candidate Member, NOT Full Member of Politburo till March 1946. Thus NOT Number 2 after Stalin in end 1944, and not in position to grab for the top as in 1953.
Bulganin - Deputy Comissar for Defence, not in Politburo till March 1946.
Kaganovich - member since 1930. In end 1944, Minister for Building Materials.
Kalinin. Member since 1926. Head of State.
Khruschchev. Member since 1939. Stuck in Ukraine, though, and not called to Secretariat and Orgburo till December 1949.
Kosygin. Candidate member from March 146. In late 1944, headed the government of Russia.
Etc. As you can see, 2 major contenders from the top in 1953 - Beria and Khruschchev - were second rank figures in 1944 and therefore neither of them in position to contend for top.
Who would be in position to fight for top in late 1944?
Let us have a look at OTL Politburo members 1944-1953.
Andreyev - member 1932- Oct 1952. In OTL October 1952, removed by Stalin for being completely deaf, kept on as vicepremier till after removal of Beria. In 1944, Chairman of the Soviet of the Union from founding in 1938 till February 1946.
Beria - Candidate Member, NOT Full Member of Politburo till March 1946. Thus NOT Number 2 after Stalin in end 1944, and not in position to grab for the top as in 1953.
Bulganin - Deputy Comissar for Defence, not in Politburo till March 1946.
Kaganovich - member since 1930. In end 1944, Minister for Building Materials.
Kalinin. Member since 1926. Head of State.
Khruschchev. Member since 1939. Stuck in Ukraine, though, and not called to Secretariat and Orgburo till December 1949.
Kosygin. Candidate member from March 146. In late 1944, headed the government of Russia.
Etc. As you can see, 2 major contenders from the top in 1953 - Beria and Khruschchev - were second rank figures in 1944 and therefore neither of them in position to contend for top.
Who would be in position to fight for top in late 1944?