Move based XOR optimization

A computer-implemented method includes receiving a first circuit design comprising a system of XOR gates, iteratively generating a plurality of candidate physical implementations of the system in adaptive logic modules included in logic array blocks of an integrated circuit, determining an overall metric for each of the plurality of candidate physical implementations using an objective function. The overall metric indicates at least an amount of the system that is implemented by each of the candidate physical implementations in a number of moves. The method also includes implementing an enhanced circuit design including a candidate physical implementation based at least in part on the overall metric of the candidate physical implementation on the integrated circuit.