Question about timelines

Hi,

we have a complex structure of streaming replication (PG 9.3) like:

master --> replica1
   |
   +-----> replica2 --> replica21
               |
               +------> replica22 --> replica221

Now I want to retire master and make replica2 the new master:

               +------> replica1
               |
           replica2 --> replica21
               |
               +------> replica22 --> replica221

replica2 is currently a synchronous replica.

If I "promote" replica2 a new timeline is created. Hence, I have to
instruct all other replicas to follow that new timeline
(recovery_target_timeline = 'latest' in recovery.conf).

On the other hand, since replica2 is synchronous it should have all
transactions when master is shut down. So, I am thinking do I really
need a new timeline? Can't I just remove recovery.conf on replica2 and
restart it as a master. The only thing I then have to do is to point
replica1 to it.

Is that a way to go? If "promoting" is better than why?

Thanks,
Torsten