ward 9 by will self and ward 6 by chekhov?

[clareybeary]

i haven't read chekhov's short story ward 6 but i've read will self's ward 9 from the quantity theory of insanity. just wondered whether ward 9 is a take on ward 6, at all? any allusions or intertextual references? or, are they two entirely different stories?
it was the title that spawned this question. i remember will self mentioning chekhov at some time but the place and when is vague. plus, chekhov was satirical like will self and wrote tragic stories and some centered on the darker side of life (so i've heard), like will self (though his stories are described as being surreal and absurd). it would be interesting if there is a connection between the two. i enjoyed the story and i have a thing for russian writers (dostoyevsky), solely because a majority of them adress the subjects i like.
anyway, any help will be much appreciated and if possible a synopsis of ward 6 and maybe a view on it. thanks.
clare

[kempie]

Here is Ward 6 in its entirety...

http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBoo ks/WardNumb.shtml

[clareybeary]

thank you. :)